Ageing caregiver ready to pass on baton to Ikageng youth

This act of kindness and caring blossomed into what is known today as the Ikhaya la Bantwana shelter, which houses about 25 children between the ages of one and eighteen.

Sixty-year-old Joyce cares for these children in her own house, and her wish is to find a bigger place for the children she calls her own. She also admitted that her strength to continue taking care of the children is dwindling because she is getting old.

“This should be the community’s place and not only mine. The Ikageng community, especially the youth, should take this shelter forward,” she pleaded.

Joyce says the people of Ikageng and Potch have supported her tremendously with clothing and food for the children over the years. “The former ward councillor Mokae also played a huge role in the shelter and sometimes used money from his own pocket to help us. Social workers also continue to support the place,” she said.

According to her, Ikhaya la Bantwana shelter was registered as a non-profit organisation in 2013.

“Most of the kids do not have parents anymore and some have been neglected by their parents. There are six women who help me with the laundry, bathing the children and cooking for them and cleaning the place. And we have two men who assist with security and to ensure that the children do not play in the street where they might get hit by passing cars,” she said.

One of the other non-profit organisations that regularly makes donations to the shelter is Ntime Mphele Ngwana. Thamsanqa Mkhunjuzwa, head of the Ntime Mphele Ngwana says they have a poverty alleviation programme to assist orphanages in Ikageng.

“We saw the need to help at this shelter because mama Joyce needs fresh minds and extra hands to keep it going,” he says.

Karabo Motsuenyane, the events organiser of Ntime Mphele Ngwana is calling on corporate companies and other businesses in the area to assist Mama Joyce to find a proper place for the children.

“I have committed myself to help out at this shelter. These children need the warmth and love from the community,” she said.

*To assist at the shelter please call Grandma Joyce Mase Ntsizi on 060 333 2820.