For Michelle Bezuidenhout, St Luke’s Home of Healing is not a facility, it is family.

“I am not going anywhere,” the 55-year-old said firmly, her voice full of emotion. “The people here are the only family I’ve got.”

But time is running out for Michelle, who has lived at St Luke’s for 18 years, and 10 other state-aided residents at the long-standing care home near KwaDukuza.

As reported by the Courier last week (St Luke’s hit by funding withdrawal, February 27), the KZN Health department will terminate its Service Level Agreement (SLA) with the non-profit organisation on March 31, a decision that will see vulnerable residents relocated with little clarity on where they will go.

St Luke’s, which has provided housing and specialised care to mentally and physically disabled residents since 1945, received formal notice of the funding withdrawal on December 31. Despite repeated attempts, the non-profit says it has still not been told why the subsidy is being cut or what alternative arrangements have been made for those dependent on state support.

For the residents, the uncertainty is frightening.

Carol Sharp (61), who has lived at St Luke’s for 13 years, says she cannot imagine starting over somewhere new.

“This place is nice and we are looked after. This is my only home, I’m not going,” said Carol.

Among the youngest residents facing relocation is Sitholokuhle ‘Sitho’ Maphumulo (27), whose journey to St Luke’s was marked by illness and heartbreak. While studying at the Durban University of Technology, she contracted tuberculosis meningitis during her second year.

She later suffered a stroke that affected her speech and mobility. In 2023, she says, her mother left her at the home and never returned.

“My mom abandoned me here,” an emotional Sitho said quietly.

“It’s hard to take. I think she thought I was broken and didn’t want me anymore. She said she was tired of being a mom and wanted to live her life. Luckily, I found amazing people here who all love me.”

For residents like Sitho, St Luke’s offers not just medical care, but stability, routine and belonging.

The facility currently cares for 24 residents, 11 state-funded and 13 privately funded. Chairperson Lisa O’Mant says the department has not communicated directly with the affected residents, leaving staff to explain the looming changes.

“I told the department that I am fighting on behalf of these people and that they are not leaving,” said O’Mant.

“At least these three ladies have a voice. The rest cannot speak for themselves. How do we know they will be looked after?”

O’Mant says the lack of clarity has added to the distress felt by residents and staff alike.

Efforts to obtain comment from the KZN Department of Health in Pietermaritzburg and iLembe have again been unsuccessful.

With the March 31 deadline approaching, staff and supporters are scrambling to explore possible solutions, but for residents like Michelle, the message remains simple.

“This is my home,” she said. “I just want to stay.”

Residents who wish to support St Luke’s can email admin@stlukeshome.co.za.

Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news.

Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here or if you’re on desktop, scan the QR code below.