New hope for elderly in the CBD

A new non-profit organisation, registered with the Department of Social Development (DSD) in March, is looking to greatly improve the golden years for Roodepoort’s elderly.

His aim is specifically to helping elderly residents who only have a Sassa pension as income every month, Marius Oelofse, the founder, told the Record.

“I found in my travels across South Africa as a missionary that our elderly are among the most impoverished of the communities, and the West Rand impacted me deeply,” he said during an interview.

Oelofse, a dominee, started a similar project in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal a few years ago and it’s going strong with 54 residents. He’s now appealing to businesses and caring community members to help him and his team establish a safe haven and happy home in the CBD.

The NPO is renting the old Volkskas building at 47 Van Wyk Street which they are busy converting into an old age home. Called Have A Heart Care Centre, he hopes to give residence to 60 of Roodepoort’s elderly. A caregiver, security officer and qualified nurse have already been appointed to look after two residents, who already moved in to escape dire circumstances. The official opening of the centre is on 1 May, he said, when 17 more people are set to move in.

“I find the building is ideally located in that it is across from a big grocery store, down the street from Sassa’s offices, close to most of the banks and near many other little specialty stores,” he said.

The idea is to have the caregiver chaperon the residents to the shopping centres and help them bring their packets back.

For R950 a month each, Oelofse’s NPO offers the elderly residents a room and three meals a day, including coffee and tea. He’s already received immense help from community members in the form of donated paint, donated television sets and even a commitment to fix the building’s lift, which was broken by previous tenants. The first floor of the building is being converted into a women’s ward while the second floor will be dedicated to men.

“This place was a mess, but we have hope to turn it into a palace,” he said with a smile.

Oelofse appeals to the community to get involved in aiding the elderly by monetary donations or commitment of goods and services to Have A Heart. At the moment, they’re in need of a geyser for the second floor, beds, mattresses and foodstuffs as well as monetary contributions.

For more information contact Marius Oelofse on 082 9527 151 or via email to haveaheartcarecentre@gmail.com

Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.

For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites Randfontein Herald, Krugersdorp News and Get It Joburg West Magazine

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