High note for women’s month

THE Association for the Aged (Tafta) hosted a Community Wellness event benefiting the elders of the Thokoza Hostel for women, which was built in 1925 in Durban. Tafta social worker Happiness Mchunu hosted the event consisting of talks on active ageing and physical exercise sessions.

According to Tafta CEO Femada Shamam, Mchunu has been actively involved in catering to the needs of elders living in the hostel after a meeting them at the Umgeni Community Empowerment Centre (UCEC), which provides food hampers.

“Community profiling of the elders within the hostel has been slow and there are challenges such as access to the building and residents who are often forced, through economic circumstances, to continue earning a living as street vendors. Elders share rooms with other elders, younger women and even children,” explained Shamam.

While discussing access to food, assistive devices and the need to earn an income, Shamam promised, “our social work team will continue working with the hostel’s elders.”

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Sylvia Giyana (68), a resident at the hostel since 2001, had relocated to Durban to be closer to her mother and son based in Durban. Giyana participated in the wellness event and said she was well-cared for by Tafta. “Thank you to Tafta for the wonderful food and care that you have given to us,” she said amazed.

Hlebani Bhengu, formerly from Ndwedwe, and who still works daily as a vendor to support her four children, remarked, “the social workers have given us a lot of support and provide gives us hope for the future.”

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