The Citizen Relationship and Urban Management (CRUM) directorate in Region F hosted the elderly at the Brixton Multipurpose Centre on Tuesday, 18 July 2023, as part of the Mandela Day celebrations. The event was aimed at acknowledging the role the elderly has played and continue to play in the community and show solidarity with them by addressing the challenges they face in their daily lives.
The event was attended by the Regional Director, Irene Mafune, Ward 58 Councillor Ricky Nair and other senior managers.
Mafune said: “It is important that we don’t forget that our elderly were taking care of us and it is now our chance to take care of them. As a city we always strive to improve the living conditions of our elderly working together with Social Development.”
Mafune encouraged the elderly to take care of themselves by eating healthy and keeping active while acknowledging that it is society’s responsibility to take care of the elderly.
A resident of Ward 58, Crosby, Heather Valentine, said: “We are grateful for the region and the private organisation that spent the day with us and contributed immensely. This was a nice surprise and this shows that government working together with private companies can do more for us.”
Another resident, Yusuf Ismail, affectionately known in the community as “Papa Joe”, said he was appreciative for the collective effort shown by City officials and the building of relationships with stakeholders in the ward.
The spirit of compassion and kindness covered the celebration where various stakeholders donated items to the most vulnerable residents of the City. Activities on the day included eye screening, health talks, feet screening, health checks, manicures, massages, fun games and aerobics.
The region partnered with internal and external stakeholders including the University of Johannesburg, Gauteng Department of Health, the City’s Health department, Joburg Market, City’s Sports and Recreation and Clean City South Africa.
The City lauds the assistance from partners in the region, which have resulted in lasting ties as it is important to collaborate to lend a hand in improving the living conditions of the elderly, Mafune said.
Similar celebrations were held around the region including a clean-up operation around Constitution Hill, a clean-up at Pieter Roos park, cleaning and tree-planting activities including converting illegal dumping spots into food gardens, and mural painting with graphics discouraging illegal dumping in Bertrams; a clean-up at Jeppe Clinic, visits to retirement homes by health practitioners and the cleaning of retirement homes.
Written by Dudu Lushaba
18/07/2023
