Residents of Presidentia Old Age Home will be enjoying a more comfortable winter, as the Springs Gold Rotary Club has improved living conditions with recent maintenance work, including the repair of 14 geysers and broken windows at the facility.

These issues were recently highlighted in the Springs Advertiser.

Andrew Irvine, the outgoing club president who led the initiative, told the publication the repairs come after members of the club became aware of concerns raised by some residents about maintenance issues at the facility.

He said the club decided to step in and assist where possible, using funds raised within the local community.

“Some of the people at Presidentia were complaining about issues, and we decided as a community group to get involved.

“We have fundraising for the Springs community, and we decided to put money into Presidentia to see what we could help fix.

“We are tackling the smaller items such as broken windows and maintenance issues so that we can make more people happier,” said Irvine.

The project includes repairing and reprogramming geyser systems to improve efficiency and reduce electricity consumption.

The club is also fixing leaking toilets and taps, replacing faulty flushing systems and addressing safety concerns for residents.

“There were taps that were leaking and some of the flushing systems were failing. One of the older residents was slipping because of these issues, so we changed those for them. We are also starting to replace all the cracked window glass,” explained Irvine.

The repairs will be carried out in phases. The first phase started recently and is expected to continue into next week, focusing on replacing broken window glass in one section of the facility.

Further phases will depend on the availability of additional funding. Irvine said the project reflects the club’s commitment to supporting senior citizens in the community.

ALSO CHECK: Presidentia Old Age Home residents frustrated over unrepaired geysers as winter approaches

“Everybody is ageing, and it is only fair to age gracefully. Financially, things are tight for many older people. Their pensions and Sassa grants only go so far.

“The people of Springs help us with fundraising, and it is only right that we help the senior citizens of Springs,” he said.

Residents have welcomed the improvements, with Irvine describing their reaction as overwhelmingly positive.

Once the work at Presidentia is completed, the club plans to continue identifying and supporting community projects as funding allows.

“We will assess the next needs in the community and continue serving where we can. We have funds available through what Rotary calls the Presidential Fund for Springs Gold, and we will continue fundraising to support future projects,” said Irvine.

Some of the residents expressed joy about the repairs, saying that they came at the right time.
One of the residents, Mfihleko Motha (79), shared that he moved in last December and had not noticed his geyser was not working, as it used solar to warm the water.

“When the repairs were being done in some units, I asked them if they could come and check my geyser and was told that it was broken and needed to be fixed.

“I am truly grateful for the work done by the club in coming to fix the geysers because we are old people and cannot fix them due to the cost, and for them to think of us, it is amazing,” said Motha.

The resident expressed disappointment in the City of Ekurhuleni in failing to maintain the facility and added that the facility is old and shows a lack of maintenance from the falling gutters.

“This is a metro-owned property and if they cannot maintain it, who must do it because the maintenance must be done by them.

“When I moved in, I was told by the residents that any repairs in my unit should be paid for by me, which is bad as we are pensioners.”

Members of the public who would like to support the club’s community initiatives can contact Springs Gold Rotary Club and make donations towards its projects.

“Every cent that is donated is spent in the community and on helping the community,” concluded Irvine.

Ward councillor Charmaine Kock expressed gratitude to the club for the assistance and services provided to residents.

She explained that concerns were raised consistently about the city’s failure to provide adequate basic services to vulnerable residents, particularly senior residents in Springs.

“I further extend my appreciation to all the companies that collaborated with the Rotary Club and voluntarily rendered their services to help residents,” said Kock.