PORT ELIZABETH - SANDF ASSISTING COMMUNITIES ACROSS PE

Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula will officially open the newly renovated Ekuphumleni home for the aged in Zwide Township in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.

This is part of the Legacy project of the armed forces week currently underway in the city, building up to the National Armed Forces Day on Sunday.

The South African National Defence Force has been proactive in the communities renovating various old age homes and rebuilding the Ekhphumleni old age home that was burnt down last year.

This forms part of the Armed Forces Day legacy, Ministers of Defence and Military Veterans and Social Development present three old age homes that have been repaired and refurbished by members of the SANDF.

The Ekuphumleni old age home has been given a much needed face lift by the South African Armed Force Day, it is one of three old age homes that needed to be refurbished.

A fire at the Ekuphumleni home in November last year claimed three lives and injured five others, since then half of the building has been dysfunctional.

SANDF is also revamping Bethelsdorp and Gelvan Park frail aged home.

The renovations form part of armed forces week that is being held in Port Elizabeth for the first time. Captain Marcel Patrick Facility Officer of the SANDF armed forces week is all about creating awareness and educating the public, but also to lend a hand.

“The old folks have given so much for the country, their suffering in the past, their hard work, their dedication and now they are in a state where they can’t move. They are getting old and for us to be part of it, it’s as if we are giving something back to them that's why it’s so important for us to be part of this program,” says Patrick.

We had issues of the structure having cracks and all of that, which is rather threatening to the health of the inmates here, so with that being fixed it will indeed improve the health and well-being of the inmates here
Miriam Matomela is one of the longest residents at Ekuphumleni and says the renovations will bring about change.

“We are so happy, we are overjoyed, it's like we are living in the suburbs now. Things here were really bad, but now we are seeing change. I have never seen a place for the elderly being made to look this beautiful,” says Matomela.

The devastating fire consumed an entire unit at the home its elderly residents and staff felt unsafe since then.

Sizakhele Nopoti a resident who has been living at the home for more than 7 years says the intervention by the defence force has changed the environment.

“I am so happy to see our place looking so good after so many years. I never imagined that after so many years I would live in a place that looks this good. I am over the moon,” says Nopoti.

The old age home struggled with various infrastructure problems and the fire also raised concerns about the safety of the elderly living there.

Mongameli Peter Director of the Ekupheleni Old Age home says they are taking the necessary steps to ensure the elderly's safety.

“We had issues of the structure having cracks and all of that, which is rather threatening to the health of the inmates here, so with that being fixed it will indeed improve the health and well-being of the inmates here,” says Peter.

The week will conclude with the laying of a wreath by President Jacob Zuma at the S.S Mende memorial in New Brighton.

A parade through the city will be finished off by the president taking the salute of the combined forces.

VIA - sabc.co.za