Senior citizens reflect on democratic progress #IMadeMyMark
PARKTOWN WEST – The elderly residents of Park Care Centre reflected on the changes they have noticed since they voted in 1994 and shared their hopes too.
For Park Care Centre residents, neither fragility nor old age will hinder them from being part of Caxton’s #IMadeMyMark as they vote in the upcoming elections.
The centre focuses on providing nursing care to the chronically sick and/or mentally or physically frail adult persons. The elderly residents shared the changes they have noticed within the political landscapes since they started voting in 1994 while they also spoke about the changes they would make if they were in leadership.
Magdalene Jacobs said back then they used to vote in a community hall without the option of various voting stations that are prevalent nowadays. “Political parties were not that visible or as outspoken as they are and their TV presence wasn’t that extreme,” said Jacobs.
She added that as president she would see to it that non-profit organisations such as ones taking care of the elderly were well taken care of and not neglected.
Mary Ramjee who has been waiting for an RDP house since 2010 said she was hoping to get one as well as an increased pension rate as things are very expensive. Ramjee also wanted to know when government representatives would visit them and make smart IDs for them as she would like to own one.
For Innocent Khumalo, being able to now go anywhere freely and do anything without it being considered ‘criminal’ is a great change that came with voting in the first democratic elections.
He said,”Back then we used to buy things from windows and were not allowed inside shops but now we see racial unity even in schools. However, as a leader I would change the system of previously disadvantaged people now causing conflict as a sort of revenge because it is not the answer.” .
Growing up in an environment of diverse people seems to have moved Fanie van Wyk to sympathise with victims of apartheid regardless of racial background. Van Wyk, however, expressed his disappointment in that the same people who fought against apartheid forgot about the needs of ordinary people at large when they took power.
A rainbow nation done properly would be great, according to Ivan van der Haar whose view is that previously disadvantaged groups of people ‘now want everything for nothing and they act like the government owes them’. Maggie Banyane was grateful that she saw the ‘fruits’ of her votes as she was able to work during her prime (now 71 years old) as well as get an RDP house with electricity and water.
For 91-year-old Nopulu Hilda Goba however, things are not going right as leaders let their ‘words speak louder than actions’ with unaffordable school fees and most youngsters not working. The Park Care Centre residents all said they would be voting in the special elections.
Details: Park Care Centre is on 36 Escombe Avenue, Parktown West.
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