Hundreds of elderly people have found a welcoming home in the Dimbaza Society for the Aged centre, where they spend most of their days being empowered physically, spiritually and mentally.In the true sense of the phrase “one is never too old to learn” Dimbaza township grandmothers and fathers from 60-years-old and upwards have embraced Adult Basic Education and Training (Abet), playing sports and taking part in extramural activities to help them keep fit and prevent them from sitting idle at home.
The centre, which started in a backyard garage in 1994 before taking occupation of a closed Dimbaza factory, is today based in a modern facility built with funding from the South African Lottery in 2009.
It has become home to 245 retired and needy elderly people, and opens its doors from 8am until 4pm.
Five caregivers are dispatched daily to visit bedridden grannies in their homes. With a total of 14 staff members including a bus driver, the elderly are picked up from their homes, dropped at the centre and taken back home in the afternoon.
Centre manager Nosiphiwo Tetana said the centre had become a beacon of hope for the many elderly people who were alone at home all day.
At the centre their daily routine includes breakfast, followed by a short prayer session, physical training and then a day filled with activities.
“In the morning we also help those on chronic medication to take their medication.
“We also serve them lunch and this is all thanks to funding we get from social development, although the funding does not cater for everyone.
“This year we only got funding for 200 people and we have been told not to accept more than 245 people, we still have people on the waiting list.”
When the Saturday Dispatch visited the township this week, some gogos were seen playing netball, while others were busy with classes or sewing.
Centre a ray of hope for elderly
In the true sense of the phrase “one is never too old to learn” Dimbaza township grandmothers and fathers from 60-years-old and upwards have embraced Adult Basic Education and Training (Abet), playing sports and taking part in extramural activities to help them keep fit and prevent them from sitting idle at home.
The centre, which started in a backyard garage in 1994 before taking occupation of a closed Dimbaza factory, is today based in a modern facility built with funding from the South African Lottery in 2009.
It has become home to 245 retired and needy elderly people, and opens its doors from 8am until 4pm.
Five caregivers are dispatched daily to visit bedridden grannies in their homes. With a total of 14 staff members including a bus driver, the elderly are picked up from their homes, dropped at the centre and taken back home in the afternoon.
Centre manager Nosiphiwo Tetana said the centre had become a beacon of hope for the many elderly people who were alone at home all day.
At the centre their daily routine includes breakfast, followed by a short prayer session, physical training and then a day filled with activities.
“In the morning we also help those on chronic medication to take their medication.
“We also serve them lunch and this is all thanks to funding we get from social development, although the funding does not cater for everyone.
“This year we only got funding for 200 people and we have been told not to accept more than 245 people, we still have people on the waiting list.”
When the Saturday Dispatch visited the township this week, some gogos were seen playing netball, while others were busy with classes or sewing.
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