THEMBISA OLD AGE HOME STILL SHUT

Tembisa Elderly Left Out in the Cold as R30 Million Old Age Home Remains Closed

The Tembisa community is facing a growing concern for the welfare of its senior citizens as the Gauteng Department of Social Development (GDSD) has failed to open the R30 million state-of-the-art Tembisa Old Age Home. The facility, which has a capacity of 59 beds, was opened in 2019 but shut down in 2023 due to structural and rezoning challenges.

According to GDSD MEC Faith Mazibuko, the department has not appointed Non-profit Organisations (NPOs) to manage the facility, which is a major reason for its closure. Mazibuko revealed this information during an oral response to the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL) last month.

The closure of the old age home has left the elderly in Tembisa without a safe and reliable place to stay. Many have been transferred to other facilities, but the lack of a dedicated home for the elderly in Tembisa is a major concern. Opposition parties are demanding that Mazibuko urgently address the structural challenges and expedite the appointment of NPOs to manage the facility.

“The Tembisa Old Age Home has not been opened to beneficiaries because the department has not appointed Non-profit Organisations (NPOs) to manage the facility, which also faces structural challenges,” Mazibuko said.

The closure of the facility has not only affected the elderly but also the community as a whole. The old age home would have provided job opportunities for the local community, which are now slipping away as the facility remains closed.

The community is calling on the GDSD to take immediate action to address the structural challenges and appoint NPOs to manage the facility. The elderly in Tembisa deserve a safe and reliable place to stay, and it’s the responsibility of the department to ensure that this is provided.

As the facility stands empty, it’s clear that the GDSD needs to prioritize the welfare of the elderly in Tembisa. The R30 million investment in the old age home is a significant one, and it’s time for the department to ensure that it’s used to benefit the community.