A local non-profit dedicated to creating vibrant and thriving spaces for the elderly in less fortunate communities is rebuilding its office in Masiphumelele after it was damaged by a fire.
The CareCompany creates Heart Zones which are seniors’ clubs, led by community carers, where the elderly can meet regularly to share nutritious meals, take part in activities, get access to healthcare, and spend time in good company.
CareCompany founder and ward councillor Jonathan Mills said the CareCompany had decided to expand and get its own office in a container at Sosebenza, a training centre for Masiphumelele’s youth.
In 2022 the two non-profits collaborated to find a new home for the Yizani Sibonisane Seniors’ Club. The Sosebenza youth centre hall became the new home of the club after it had been running out of a garage for almost two years during lockdown because the Masiphumelele community hall it had used was turned into a Covid clinic (“New home for Masi’s seniors’ club,” Echo January 20, 2022).
However, tragedy struck in February when an old car next to the container caught fire, damaging the security bars, windows, and paintwork as well as leaving the container without electricity.
Sosebenza board member and CareCompany volunteer Siphenathi Kimbili said the fire had caused extensive damage to the container.
He said restoring the container so that the Care Company could resume its work in the community was of vital importance.
“Having the CareCompany fully operational is beneficial to the work we do at Sosebenza. It not only provides the elderly with food, materials for their handcrafts, healthcare, and general support, it also helps to identify problems in the community that Sosebenza can assist with,” he said.
CareCompany community project manager Dimitre Vigis said the CareCompany currently has six Heart Zones, in Ocean View, Masiphumelele, Hillview, Vrygrond, Westlake, and Khayelitsha.
He said the CareCompany had been in the process of furnishing the office when the fire broke out destroying most of the furniture inside.
Electricity has since been restored to the container and it has been repainted, he said.
Some furniture has been donated but it is still in need of a small microwave, a kettle, a fan, two blinds for the windows, a colour printer, and a security gate as well as funds to install the gate.
