Mabopane centre opens its doors to focus on seniors’ needs
The centre, launched by the Gauteng MEC for Social Development Faith Mazibuko, aims to bring government services closer to Mabopane’s residents and surrounding communities.
Elderly residents of Mabopane were filled with joy and excitement on February 20 as the much-anticipated Mabopane Social Integrated Centre officially opened.
The centre offers a range of essential services for the community aimed at improving the lives of the elderly, people with disabilities and the general public.
Senior citizens were delighted with the centre’s focus on providing for their specific needs.
Christian Mbiza, a local senior citizen, expressed the collective happiness of the elderly in Mabopane.
“As senior citizens, we are pleased that this centre is going to cater for our needs so that our programmes can gain momentum.
“We are looking forward to using the centre’s facilities to support our health and social initiatives,” said Mbiza.
Gogo Mbiza was particularly excited about the centre’s focus on senior programmes but raised a practical concern.
“In Mabopane, we have about 14 luncheon clubs with around 300 members.
“I suppose we will need to recognise ourselves and find opportunities to access the centre as different clubs.
“These luncheon clubs serve as important social and support networks for us and the new facility will allow us to grow our activities,” said Gogo Mbiza.
The centre, launched by the Gauteng MEC for Social Development Faith Mazibuko, aims to bring government services closer to Mabopane’s residents and surrounding communities.
During the launch, MEC Mazibuko emphasised the importance of the facility.
For senior citizens, the integration centre features a gym facility to encourage regular exercise and promote a healthy lifestyle.
MEC Mazibuko said this centre is going to provide, among other services, a gym facility for senior citizens to exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle, older persons’ services, and a range of other social development services.
In addition to services for the elderly, the centre will provide a walk-in facility for substance abuse rehabilitation, partial care services for people with disabilities, and skills development programmes aimed at job creation.
Families with disabled members will have access to stimulation programmes, and there will be Sassa services, including the renewal of payment cards.
The centre also aims to engage with the Department of Home Affairs to offer their services from the facility in future.
Resident Thabo Rachidi said the new centre will help them save transport fares to go to town to receive help.
“Previously, when we wanted these services, we had to take about two taxis to Pretoria CBD but now we can just take a walk or a local taxi which saves us from transport fares.
“Hopefully, the youth will benefit here because they need jobs and these skills development programmes can help them get employment.”
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