Political storm in a tea cup at old age home
Councillor accuses ANC of hijacking Sassa event for the elderly.
A minor political furore broke out at Klein Helderkruin Old Age Home on the morning of 14 November.
The initial event, according to the Councillor (DA) for the ward, Suzanne Clarke, was to bring South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) to the elderly who often have trouble visiting the offices in Roodepoort. (Allegedly one woman recently had to make seven trips before she was helped.)
Clarke was surprised on the morning to find that the Minister of Arts and Culture, Paul Mashitile and MEC for Social Development and Agriculture, Nandi Mayathula-Khosa were the main attractions alongside ANC Councillor Willie van der Schyf who was billed as the programme director. (Mashitile ended up not attending).
“I have organised this for the elderly people. I am very involved here at Klein Helderkruin and the ANC has hijacked this initiative to garner votes,” fumed Clarke.
“They are using this for electioneering. They will be sorry,” she warned.
In the meanwhile Mayathula-Khosa was waxing lyrical about the Department of Social Services’ successes as far as the elderly is concerned and highlighted achievements and planned initiatives. She also accentuated older persons’ rights and congratulated Klein Helderkruin on complying with the Act on Older Persons.
Afterwards the residents gave her an envelope thanking her department for their 60 per cent contribution to the old age home.
When the Record asked Van der Schyf afterwards about the alleged ‘political hijacking’ of the event, he laughed it off.
“We have been planning this for over a month. You do not just get an MEC to attend over night. I am involved in lots of initiatives for the elderly,” said Van der Schyf.
A number of residents of the home did back up Clarke’s claim and one gentleman caused a slight interruption at the beginning of the programme when he stood up and demanded to know why the MEC was there when they were told by the Councillor that it would be an opportunity to register with Sassa and solve their issues with its representatives.
One or two guests in ANC attire were seen leaving with the MEC.
