Daveyton home for the disabled welcomes new manager

Sandile Mafu has been appointed as the manager of Elethu Cheshire Home in Daveyton.

She is committed to developing the health and wellbeing of the residents.

Mafu started her new role on March 1.

She was the iThemba Rape and Trauma Support Centre manager for five years.

The 38-year-old said with her compassion and dedication to assisting others she is ready to bring change at the home.

“I plan to ensure that the residents get stimulated as there is no physio or activities that keep them active,” said Mafu.

“The residents need to keep busy daily. The centre will welcome any community members who can volunteer their skills such as sewing, art, sport, or gardening even if it twice a week.”

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The home has 18 residents from 18 to 55 years old.

The NPO renders 24-hour residential care to adults with disabilities.

The home will be celebrating 30 years later this year.

The Putfontein resident said in this short time she has seen that one of the challenges is that there is no security during the day, which is a problem because anyone gains entry into the property without an appointment.

“We also don’t have a receptionist so strangers and even family members of the residents just enter without anyone knowing. These are some of the changes that I would be making at the centre,” said Mafu.

The mother of three holds a diploma in human resource management and a diploma in project management.

Mafu worked at iThemba Rape and Trauma Support Centre as a volunteer cleaner in 2016 before she was allowed to do a six months course on trauma support.

“I then became a social auxiliary worker for five years before being promoted to a centre manager in 2015,” she said.

The manager is calling on any local security companies that could provide them with a security guard and any physiotherapist that could volunteer their time twice a week.

“We also need monetary donations that could assist us to pay our electricity bill, which is R182 000. This is due to non-payments since 2019.

“The home did not have electricity for seven days and the residents had to use cold water to bath which is unacceptable,” said Mafu.

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The NPO gets support from the Department of Social Development; however, it does not cover all their needs.

The home will appreciate any donation of blankets, socks, bedding, linens, adult diapers, sanitary towels, toiletries, cleaning utensils, gardening tools, acrylic paint, paintbrushes, gas bottles, clothes, and items that can be sold at their charity shop.

Anyone who would like to donate or volunteer can contact Mafu on 011 424 7050 or email daveyton@cherishehomes.org.za