Giving back to the elderly in honour of Mandela
By Lesedi Sibiya
18 July 2025
Time to care in collaboration with the Provincial Crime Prevention Police Department as well as the health department paid a visit to Bekkersdal Old Age Home in commemoration of Mandela and the spirit of ubuntu and giving back.
The Time to Care foundation had distributed a total of 110 food hampers, 110 blankets, 110 winter beanies and 110 loaves of bread. Members of the Health department, parliament and the district Commissioner of Ekhuruleni General Sithole had joined the distribution of food parcels. The Department of Health hosted an aerobics session for elderly persons to lighten up their day and to inspire them to keep fit regardless of their age.
There was a spirit of harmony amongst the people in attendance as it represented the golden dream Nelson Mandela taught the nation, a spirit of togetherness, kindness and love for fellow human beings.
Then a programme was held for the elderly together with Director of Time to Care, General Sithole, and Station Commander General Zikalala in order to show appreciation for the elderly people of Bekkersdal and to give them a sense of hope, the programme including the singing of hymns in order to awaken the spirit of giving amongst everyone involved.
Stakeholder in Governance Manager for district health services Rami Matsila managed to catch up with Diplomatic Insider, surrounding the intention behind the event today.
“Today we are pledging care and amplifying the call for humanity in this day which is 18 July 2025 at Bekkersdal old age centre, as an honour as we amplify ubuntu that Nelson Mandela embodied, we then joined hands with stakeholders and the South African Police Services and Time for Care, an internationally renowned foundation and we have a delegation coming from Europe. We joined hands together with SAPS and Time for Care where we issued food parcels, blankets and beanie hats…we continue to stretch that hand of Ubuntu and humanity in taking care of them [the elderly].”
Today showed the beauty of Ubuntu and the humanity that the people of South Africa are known for and represents what Nelson Mandela stood for.
“Time to Care in collaboration with the provincial crime prevention police department paid a visit to Bekkersdal old age home for Nelson Mandela Day. Time to Care distributed 110 food hampers, 110 blankets, 110 winter beanies and 110 bread loaves. The programme started with health screening of the elderly people. The station commander General Zikalala, General Sithole, and Director of Time to Care addressed the guests. The programme ended with distribution of hampers and blankets.” said Huseyin Kublay, Director of Time to Care as he commented on the events that transpired at Bekkersdal Old Age Centre