Blind councillor to swim mile for aged

A blind PR councillor from ward 81 is swimming a mile on February 11 to raise funds for an old-aged home in Sunnyside.

Hentie Nortjé, DA PR councillor, attorney at Malan & Nortjé Attorneys and long-distance swimmer is taking part in his 23rd Midmar Mile this Saturday in KZN to raise funds for charity.

The aQuelle Midmar Mile celebrates its 50th anniversary this weekend, and Nortjé says that he looks forward to raising funds for Harmonie Park Home for Older Persons in central Pretoria.

“I came to know Harmonie Park very well. I also learned that four old-aged homes near Harmonie Park have closed down over the last year because of numerous reasons, among others poor finances,” Nortjé stated.

Harmonie Park is an NPO that offers accommodation to self-sufficient and frail elderly people.

“I believe that we have a responsibility to look after our old-aged homes and the elderly in our communities,” Nortjé continued.

Harmonie Park is split into two facilities, Harmonie Oord and Harmoniehof.

Harmonie Oord provides accommodation and meals to independent Sassa pensioners and others with a low financial income with no place to stay. It has 180 residents and meals are provided through donations.

Harmoniehof provides accommodation and cares for older persons that need more assistance, and frail care. Harmoniehof has 115 residents whose needs go beyond their financial limitations – only 35 receive Sassa grants.

Harmonie Park does not receive any grant from the government, thus the cost of living has taken its toll on the home’s finances.

“The facility struggles to make ends meet due to the fact that many of the residents are unable to pay the full cost for the services they receive, substantial municipal accounts, the constant increase in living costs.

The facility’s equipment is also very old,” Nortjé said.

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In 2015, Nortjé swam the Midmar Mile for Pula Difate primary school in Mamelodi, for Residentia old-aged home in 2019 and Sungardens Hospice in last year.

To receive donations for his upcoming mile, he started a Backabuddy page and encourages residents to help out in any way they can.

“I believe that no one of us can ever say that we will not have to knock at the door of Harmonie Park Home for Older Persons, whether it is for ourselves or for any one of our loved ones,” Nortjé concluded.

Read more about Harmonie Park on www.harmoniepark.co.za and Facebook page Harmoniepark1

To support the Backabuddy visit www.backabuddy.co.za/champion/project/blind-councillor-swims-23rd-midmar-mile

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