SIKO BIDS FAREWELL AFTER YEARS OF CHERISHED MOMENTS AT ITIRELENG

By Madali Chibambu

• With her joyous gospel songs and hard work, Gadifeli Maria Siko is leaving a lasting legacy at the Itireleng Residential Care Facility for Persons with Disabilities in Ga-Rankuwa, in the City of Tshwane.
• Siko is the recipient of a Long Service Award from the Gauteng Department of Social Development.
• The 62-year-old says she feels fortunate to have been in a space where I could provide for my family and build a future.

For Gadifeli Maria Siko, a recipient of the Gauteng Department of Social Development Long Service Award, working at the Itireleng Residential Care Facility for Persons with Disabilities in Ga-Rankuwa, in the north west of the City of Tshwane, has been more than just a job, it has been a journey of love, learning, and transformation.

As the 62-year-old nears retirement, Siko reflects on the deep connections she has built over the years and the moments she will miss the most.

When she first joined the Gauteng Department of Social Development, the institution was still under the North West Province, and she never imagined the impact the job would have on her life.

Coming from Mabopane, she applied for a cleaning position along with many others, and she still recalls the overwhelming joy she felt when she was called for an interview.

On her first day at Itireleng, Siko was taken aback by the number of blind people navigating their surroundings with braille handrails and white canes.

Driven by compassion, she instinctively wanted to assist everyone she met until she gradually familiarised herself with the environment.

With pride, she shares how her monthly salary allowed her to expand her family from two children to four.

She also joined stokvels to save money and help her husband pay off debts.

“I was able to buy blankets, pots, and furniture and pay for my children’s school fees. Now, Itireleng has grown, we have children and adults with various disabilities, and this place truly feels like home,” she says with a warm smile.

Beyond her daily duties, Siko has found joy in forming meaningful bonds with the residents.

“We have learnt that they also need love, and we give them that love. We dance and sing together,” she says.

“Soon, I’ll be retiring, and I will miss every moment with them. I often sing gospel songs while working, and one of our blind residents joins in, then others follow. Those are the memories I will always cherish,” she shares.

Grateful for the opportunity, Siko acknowledges the impact of her work. “With the high unemployment rate in our country, I feel fortunate to have been in this space, where I could provide for my family and build a future.”

Faith Mhlanga, head of the institution, praised Siko’s dedication and character. “She is a hardworking woman who performs her duties diligently. She respects authority, loves her colleagues, and is always approachable and humble.”

As Siko prepares to retire, her legacy of kindness and service will undoubtedly live on in the hearts of those she touched at Itireleng.