LESOTHO DELEGATION VISITS ZANELE MBEKI FRAIL CARE CENTRE IN TSAKANE

By Precious Mupenzi

• On the second day of their knowledge-sharing mission, a delegation from Lesotho’s Ministry of Gender, Youth, and Social Development, led by Principal Secretary Ms. Mahlapane Makakole-Bodiba, visited the Zanele Mbeki Frail Care Centre in Ekurhuleni, South Africa. The visit focused on learning best practices in elderly care and enhancing collaboration between the two countries in social development.
• Mr. Onkemetse Kabasia, Deputy Director-General of Welfare Services, Community Development, Regions, and Institutions in Gauteng, underscored the importance of partnerships between the government and non-profit organisations in delivering quality care for older persons. The centre provides critical services to older persons and those with disabilities, demonstrating a model of integrated care.
• Mamtshengu Tshabalala, Manager for Elderly Care Services in Lesotho, expressed admiration for the level of care and collaborative efforts at the Zanele Mbeki Frail Care Centre. She highlighted plans to adopt some of the observed practices to enhance Lesotho’s own programmes for older persons.

On the second day of the knowledge-sharing mission to South Africa, the delegation from the Kingdom of Lesotho’s Ministry of Gender, Youth, and Social Development, led by Principal Secretary Ms. Mahlapane Makakole-Bodiba, visited the Zanele Mbeki Frail Care Centre in Tsakane, Ekurhuleni. The visit aimed to explore best practices in elderly care and strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries in social development.

The Zanele Mbeki Frail Care Centre, originally opened in 1975 as Tienie Vorster Frail Care, was acquired by the Department of Social Development in 2008 and renamed after the wife of former President Thabo Mbeki. The facility serves as a vital care home for the elderly and older persons with disabilities, offering a total of 190 beds across three male wards and two female wards. The centre has long been a beacon of hope for vulnerable members of society, providing compassionate care in a secure and structured environment.

Welcoming the Lesotho delegation, Mr. Onkemetse Kabasia, Deputy Director-General of Welfare Services, Community Development, Regions, and Institutions within the Gauteng Department of Social Development, highlighted the significance of the visit.

“This centre stands as a testament to the South African government’s commitment to the well-being of our older persons,” Kabasia said. “We are proud to showcase the work being done here, not just by the government but also in partnership with non-profit organisations.”

Kabasia emphasised the importance of this collaboration, noting that NPOs play a crucial role in driving the government’s mandate of providing essential services to older persons. “We allocated approximately R2 billion to NPOs for the 2024/25 financial year, who sign service level agreements with the department to render services on behalf of the government. This partnership is vital in ensuring that the care and dignity of our older persons are upheld,” he added.

The Director of Special Needs, Families, and Homelessness within the Gauteng Department of Social Development provided an overview of the department’s services and programmes designed for older persons in the province. She emphasised the Active Ageing Programme, which focuses on keeping older persons, aged 60 and above, engaged and active.

“The Active Ageing Programme includes activities such as the Golden Games, Choir Festivals, and gym exercises, and each year approximately 4,000 older persons participate at local, corridor, provincial, and national levels through these games and choir performances,” she said.

In Gauteng, the Department of Social Development has established a robust network of support for older persons through both government and non-profit partnerships. These services are aimed at enhancing the quality of life for the elderly, particularly those who may be vulnerable or in need of specialised care. The department works closely with non-profit organisations (NPOs) to extend its reach and ensure that comprehensive care is provided across the province.

“Across Gauteng, we support 71 NPO-run facilities and one government-managed frail care facility, collectively benefiting 5,901 older persons,” explained the Director of Special Needs, Families, and Homelessness. “In addition to residential care, our community-based services offer crucial support to 7,830 older persons through service centres and luncheon clubs, while three daycare centres reach 180 older persons. Furthermore, we extend home-based care to 7,199 older persons through 82 home-based care services,” added Ms. Mathebula.

She also stressed the importance of capacity building for service providers (NPOs). “Training is critical,” she said. “We ensure that our service providers are well-versed in legislation, policies, norms, and standards, and we support the Provincial and Regional Older Persons’ Fora to ensure that these services meet the needs of our elderly population,” she concluded.

Mamtshengu Tshabalala, Manager for Elderly Care Services within Lesotho’s Ministry of Gender, Youth, and Social Development, expressed deep admiration for the Zanele Mbeki Frail Care Centre during the delegation’s visit. She was particularly impressed by the level of care and the collaborative efforts to support older persons, including those with disabilities, in South Africa.

“This visit has been truly enlightening,” Tshabalala noted. “We are inspired by the dedication and care demonstrated here, and we are eager to incorporate some of the best practices we have observed into our own programmes back home.”

Tshabalala highlighted that the recent 2021 Lesotho Demographic Survey reports around 189,281 older persons aged 60 and above, accounting for 9.11% of the country’s population. This represents a notable increase from 2011, where the figure stood at 157,685. She also explained that in Lesotho, there are currently two privately-run, faith-based homes for the elderly, which originally began as charity centres. These facilities are monitored and supported by the government and receive an annual lump-sum subvention to aid their operations.