By REGINALD KANYANE
The residents said they have lost hope after the anticipated Old Age Home construction project worth R73.6 million in Pudimoe Township, near Taung is slowly ‘turning’ into a white elephant.
The state-run facility, which was constructed back in 2013, consists of 100 bed capacity, frail care unit, independent living unit, recreational hall, a kitchen, dining area, staff accommodation, laundry, gym and a TV room was expected to provide statutory services to the elderlies around the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati region and the entire province. ty.
An HIV and AIDS Awareness activist, Motivational Speaker and Life skills & Health Coach, Neo Letlhogela said: “Most elderly people are vulnerable because they either stay alone or with their grandchildren. This exposes them to various crimes and danger as people know that they stay alone.
“We urge the North West Social Development department to ensure that the completion of the centre is imminent as it was also expected to create job opportunities, especially for the youth. Our senior citizens are the pillars of our communities, so it is important to acknowledge them and take care of them by ensuring that they remain safe and well looked after during their twilight years.”
The Re Aga Taung Civic Organisation chairperson, Modisaotsile Lebitse shared the same sentiments. Lebitse said crime is rife in that part of the world and the department needs to take that into consideration.
“It is entirely up to us to be devoted to helping our older people. Sometimes our elderly people continue to be abused by their grandchildren either emotionally, financially and physically for their own social grants.
“We call on the department to complete the structure because some of elderly people stay alone, not because they want to. Sometimes their children are working far away from home and they are left vulnerable. So, the centre will assist in ensuring that they get decent care,” he said.
Meanwhile, the North West Social Development spokesperson, Petrus Siko said: “I would like to put it on record that the Taung Old Age home has not turned into a white elephant. The official opening of this centre has been delayed due to some structural defects.
“Secondly, the heavy storms damaged the roof of the centre twice in November 2021. So, the department has since postponed the opening of the centre in order to conduct a comprehensive structural assessment in line with Occupational Health and Safety Act.”
Siko further said the second state-run old age home after Sonop, which is situated in Madibeng was established in Taung following reported incidents of vulnerability of older persons in the district. He added that the facility was established in line with the White Paper on social welfare services, which advocates for transformation and equitable distribution of resources among elderly people.
“The department is working around the clock to open the old age home in the first quarter of 2022 financial year, albeit the procurement challenges that were brought by Constitutional Court ruling on Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act and subsequent National Treasury advisory on procurement of goods not exceeding R30 000,” concluded Siko.
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