On Saturday, 20 February 2016, Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula officially launched The Legacy Project in partnership with Minister of Social Development, Ms Bathabile Dlamini. The Legacy Project was established in 2015 as a joint partnership between the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and the Department of Social Development in an effort to ensure that the needs of elderly citizens, are given the priority they deserve.
Subsequently, the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan (NMM) together with the Port Elizabeth Chamber of Business collaborated on identifying an area of need for such attention in the form of old-age homes in need of refurbishment, in line with the stated priorities of the NMM Executive Mayor. A number of facilities were identified with Ekuphumleni Old Age Home being in a dire state due to neglect and poor management. This saw members of the SANDF, led by the SANDF Works Formation, undertake substantial refurbishment of the centre on behalf of the Ministry of Defence and Military Veterans. The Ministry of Social Development committed to providing the necessary sustenance required for the future running of the facilities efficiently and effectively.
The Ministerial Committee for the Review of the White Paper on Social Welfare (1997) – established by the Minister of Social Development to review the implementation of the White Paper, which is the overarching policy framework for the provision of social development services in the country – found that access to and the quality of social services in the country is still determined by the ability to pay for services. While private service centres are available in urban areas, people in previously disadvantaged areas are largely left without access to services because of their inability to pay for them. With regards to residential facilities for older persons, the Committee has found that the feebarrier and “cultural differences” hamper integration and quality of service offered. The Legacy Project would, therefore, help in addressing this discrepancy.
In light of this, Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula accompanied by Minister Bathabile Dlamini wish to launch The Legacy Project, officially open the newly renovated Ekuphumleni Home For The Aged and allow members of the media an opportunity to ask questions pertinent to the project.
NMB Communications
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