History of TAFTA’s John Dunn House
It was the first home for the frail aged coloured community in KwaZulu-Natal.
The Durban Senior Citizens Association, chaired by the Reverend John Dunn came into being in 1978 to care for the elderly population in the Wentworth area.
TAFTA director at the time, Michael Claye played an integral role in advising the association on how to run its affairs and in 1986, a decision was taken by key stakeholders to build a home in the area to care for the community’s elders.
In 1987, following the grant of a R1,6-million loan from the Department of National Housing, a building of a frail care aged home and service centre commenced. Further support for the project came from the Durban Benevolent Society, and Durban residents. In addition, the boys of Kearsney College, who donated an amount of R81,000 towards the building.
On 16 May 1988, the first residents were admitted to the 104-bed home, appropriately named John Dunn House, which was constructed at a total cost of R2,8-million. It was the first home for the frail aged coloured community in KwaZulu-Natal.
In the same year, the adjacent Primrose Service Centre became operational under the management of social worker Adelaide Tifflin. The service centre served as a pension pay-point and also provided a venue for a weekly geriatric clinic hosted by the then Durban Municipality. The service centre remains an active social centre for the Wentworth community to this day.
In 2001, the frail care only facility reduced the number of frail care beds to 57 and the rest of the facility was converted to provide sheltered housing for 30 sub-economic elders to meet the need in the community.
John Dunn House remains a home serving the needs of the elderly population, but has also played an instrumental role in various community outreach projects, caring for elders who remain housebound in surrounding communities.
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