ABOUT 300 senior citizens who provide care to frail friends and orphaned children were honoured by the Gauteng Provincial Government at Turffontein Racecourse on December 11.
The elderly, ranging from 74-years-old who are need of care themselves, were honoured by Gauteng MEC for Social Development Nandi Mayathula-Khoza for their selflessness by serving others ahead of themselves. They cared for vulnerable groups from various communities. These senior citizens provide care to frail friends, the disabled and orphaned children. They do this work from various churches across Gauteng where they worship.
Mayathula-Khoza, who is also the convenor of the Gauteng Faith-based Organisation (FBO), a representative body of all faith formations in Gauteng, gave them certificates of appreciation for their important role and their contribution to families and communities.
She said honouring the older people was a celebratory day and a proud moment of accomplishment because these were Gauteng’s finest senior citizens.
“These remarkable citizens, despite being in their twilight years and in need of care themselves, give so selflessly to vulnerable children who are mostly orphaned and have no shoulder to cry on and frail elderly citizens who cannot fend for themselves. We are grateful as the Gauteng Provincial Government for the sterling work they do in fighting poverty and taking good care of the vulnerable in our communities,” Mayathula-Khoza explained.
One of the celebrants, 74-year-old Gogo Phumla Ngcebetsha from Simunye Extension Five in Westonaria, was delighted and said, “I’m grateful for the present from the MEC today. It was like she knew that our old-age grant money is never enough and now I have a Christmas present to enjoy with my family.”
Another senior citizen, Bab’ Mpinga Sicetshe (64) from Langaville in Tsakane said, “We appreciate the presents from both the department and MEC Mayathula-Khoza because this demonstrates that our efforts are appreciated by government.”
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