Old age home returns the favour
ALEXANDRA – Oldest black-owned old age home lauds its partners.
A local organisation has urged for good deeds done in honour of former state president Nelson Mandela to be practised daily. Founded by the township’s own Mother Teresa, Marjorie Manganyi during the apartheid era, Itlhokomeleng Old Age Home was the first such facility started by and for the black community countrywide.
“It arose from the well-intentioned efforts of the kindness of many individuals and organisations including the Rotary Club which wanted welfare services to also extend to black communities daily. “By the same token, Mandela’s spirit of kindness should be commemorated through similar acts of goodness done daily to those in dire straits,” Manganyi said during a post-Mandela Day commemoration moment when she honoured NPO Gift of the Givers for its unflinching support to the home.
“They have adopted us and, sustained our charity work in service to the elderly through food donations, [nappies] and others daily requirements,” she said of the 90 plus elderly residents of the home. This, she said, is also in keeping with the saying that, ‘for every good act done, favour is returned’.
Mangayi honoured the NPA with a collage of framed pictures of the centre and a certificate of appreciation. “It’s deserved by them for being part of the home’s support system.” She also cited in appreciation, support received from other entities including the media for creating awareness on the plight of the poor and needy and government departments like social development, health, and correctional services which brought offenders to entertain and spruce up the home on Mandela Day with a new coat of paint.
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