LESOTHO KINGDOM CONCLUDES BENCHMARKING VISIT TO STUDY SOUTH AFRICA’S ELDERLY CARE MODELS

By Precious Mupenzi

• The Ministry of Gender, Youth, and Social Development of Lesotho concluded a knowledge-sharing mission with South Africa’s Department of Social Development, focusing on best practices for elderly care.
• The four-day visit included comprehensive presentations, facility tours, and discussions on policy, management, and collaboration with NGOs and NPOs to inform Lesotho’s approach to government-run old age homes.
• The mission provided valuable insights into infrastructure, evidence-based policymaking, and the integration of frail care and disability services, which will shape the future of elderly care in Lesotho.

The Ministry of Gender, Youth, and Social Development of the Kingdom of Lesotho concluded a successful knowledge-sharing mission with South Africa’s Department of Social Development on 5 September 2024. The Lesotho delegation, which arrived in South Africa on 2 September 2024, sought to learn best practices in managing government-run old age homes as they work towards establishing similar services to support elderly care in Lesotho.

During the four-day visit, the delegation participated in a series of in-depth presentations and toured both government-operated and privately managed old age homes in South Africa. These engagements provided them with valuable insights into different models of care, management structures, and policies that could be adapted to suit the needs of Lesotho’s elderly population.

Principal Secretary and Head of Delegation, Ms. Mahlapane Makakole-Bodiba, expressed her gratitude to South Africa’s Department of Social Development for the warm reception and the invaluable learning experience. She acknowledged the leadership of Acting Director-General Mr. Peter Netshipale, as well as Gauteng’s Deputy Director-General of Welfare Services and Community Development, Ms. Onkemetse Kabasia, for facilitating the visit and providing access to various facilities. “The visit was an enriching experience that will guide our efforts to improve care for the elderly in Lesotho,” she said, noting that the knowledge gained would play a key role in shaping Lesotho’s approach to elderly care.

Reflecting on the learning mission, Ms. Makakole-Bodiba said, “The government of South Africa has made a substantial investment in infrastructure to serve its aging population. We were particularly impressed by the variety of facilities available—from old age homes and frail care centres to day care and service centres. These structures provide comprehensive care for older persons, and we have learned a great deal about how to integrate services for people with disabilities, including those with cerebral palsy, into these facilities.”

Initially, the delegation had planned to focus on developing a hospice, but their site visits led them to appreciate the distinctions between different types of care centres and their specific requirements. “We now recognise the importance of including frail care and disability services in our proposed old age home,” Ms. Makakole-Bodiba added.

One of the standout lessons from the visit was the emphasis on evidence-based policy and legislation in South Africa. “South Africa’s approach to evidence-based policymaking is something we can certainly adopt,” she noted. However, she also stressed the need for caution, stating, “While we are eager to legislate the provision of grants and services, it is crucial to ensure that we are fully prepared to deliver on these commitments, as legislation is binding.”

Ms. Makakole-Bodiba highlighted the vital role that caregivers play in the well-being of older persons. “We realise that caregiver training is an area that we need to develop further in Lesotho,” she said. “This skill set is crucial for strengthening the care of older persons within our communities.”

The delegation also observed the need for a balance between government-run facilities and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and non-profit organisations (NPOs). While South Africa has strong collaboration with NGOs and NPOs, the delegation noted a significant disparity in funding between government-owned homes and those run by NPOs. Ms. Makakole-Bodiba emphasised that this is something Lesotho should consider as it plans to invest extensively in its proposed old age home.

“We sincerely appreciate the efforts of South Africa’s Department of Social Development in making this mission a success,” Ms. Makakole-Bodiba expressed. “We have gained far more than we expected. The integration of frail care facilities with day care and service centres for the elderly is a best practice that will significantly enhance our approach to elderly care in Lesotho.”

The delegation also noted the importance of promoting ageing-in-place, a concept where older persons are cared for within their homes and communities. “This strategy fosters individual and collective responsibility among families and community members,” Ms. Makakole-Bodiba said. “It is a concept we believe can greatly benefit our elderly population in Lesotho.”

The mission concluded with a sense of accomplishment, having addressed key questions about residential care, community support, and legislative frameworks. “From day one, we were inspired by the knowledge shared with us,” Ms. Makakole-Bodiba concluded. “This visit has paved the way for us to establish our government-owned old age homes, equipped with the appropriate facilities and services to ensure a dignified and fulfilling life for our elderly citizens.”

Key Insights from the Visit:

• South Africa’s Department of Social Development (DSD) demonstrates a strong commitment to the care, support, and protection of older persons, collaborating effectively with other government departments, including health and sports, to ensure comprehensive care.
• The use of evidence-based policymaking and legislation has shaped responsive services and interventions for older persons, ensuring inclusivity across state-run and NGO/NPO facilities.
• A notable strategy observed was home-based care, promoting ageing-in-place and allowing older persons to remain within their communities while receiving support from trained caregivers.

Closing the four-day visit, Mr. Mahlatsi Koma, Director of Stakeholder Management, International Relations, and Donor Coordination, spoke on behalf of the Department of Social Development. He extended his gratitude to the Lesotho delegation for their active participation and valuable engagement throughout the visit.

“This visit has been incredibly productive, offering both our teams invaluable insights into the management of elderly care facilities. We are particularly pleased with the constructive discussions and the thorough review of the draft Memorandum of Understanding, which will serve as a cornerstone for our future collaboration. As we look ahead, we are committed to strengthening our partnership and ensuring that the lessons learned here contribute to meaningful advancements in social development for both South Africa and Lesotho. We eagerly anticipate implementing the agreed-upon strategies and continuing our joint efforts to enhance the well-being of our elderly populations,” said Mr. Koma.

He further emphasised that the visit has laid a strong foundation for collaboration in elderly care and other key social development areas. “The discussions and the draft Memorandum of Understanding we have reviewed together mark a significant step toward building a sustainable partnership between our nations. We are confident that the insights gained will help us address the social development needs of our communities effectively. We look forward to continuing this journey and translating the lessons learned into impactful programmes for both South Africa and Lesotho,” he stated.