R30m Thembisa Old Age Home vacant amidst service delivery concerns
A state-of-the-art R30-million old age home in Thembisa, boasting 59 beds, remains inexplicably vacant, despite the urgent need for elderly care in the community.
While many elderly residents in Thembisa desperately need proper care and accommodation, the long-awaited R30m Thembisa Old Age Home remains vacant, raising serious concerns about government priorities and service delivery.
This news follows revelations from the DA Gauteng shadow MEC for Social Development, Refiloe Nt’sekhe, who confirmed that the Gauteng Department of Social Development (GDSD) has yet to open the state-of-the-art facility with 59 beds.
“This inaction has left many elderly without a safe, reliable place to stay and raises serious concerns about the welfare of senior citizens in our province,” said Nt’sekhe.
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According to Nt’sekhe, the Gauteng Social Development MEC confirmed at a recent Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL) sitting that the facility remains unopened because no NPOs have been appointed to manage it. The home is also reportedly facing ongoing structural challenges. Confusion remains over the exact nature of the structural issues.
During her tenure as MEC for Social Development, the current GPL Speaker said R500 000 was allocated to fix these problems.
The DA now demands answers on why the problems persist despite allocated funding.
“Every day this facility remains empty exposes a deep failure to support the most vulnerable in our community,” Nt’sekhe said.
“Additionally, job opportunities tied to this facility are lost while it remains closed.”
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The DA said a caring government would have prioritised opening the home, especially as more elderly residents face substandard living conditions.
The Thembisan contacted the GDSD and the premier’s office on June 13 for clarity on the structural issues, delays in appointing NPOs and the opening date of the Thembisa Old Age Home.
No response was received by the time of going to press.
