Elderly in Soweto To Be Honoured
By Mpho Moloi
On 02 September 2025 (Today), the Collen Mashawana Foundation is celebrating “Dr. Collen Mashawana’s Birthday” by showing compassion and care to the elderly at Emathonsini Old Age Home in Rockville, Soweto. This heartfelt outreach is more than just a birthday gesture—it strengthens community bonds, highlights vulnerable senior citizens, and builds dignity through meaningful action.
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A Legacy of Compassion for the Elderly
The Emathonsini Old Age Home was founded in 2011 by Ms Innocentia Ntombifuthi Mandlazi, a Soweto resident who transformed her own home into a sanctuary for destitute elderly individuals  . Over time, her initiative has grown into a registered non‑profit organization sheltering 21 elderly residents (with a capacity of 23) and offering them consistent long‑term medical, nursing, emotional, and spiritual care .
The home operates under challenging circumstances. It depends largely on limited government grants, which often fall short in covering necessities like diapers, surgical gloves, and sufficient staff. Despite scarce resources, Ms Mandlazi has shown remarkable resilience. She literally built and expanded the facility using broken bricks salvaged from demolition sites and small donations from cement suppliers and hardware stores. Her efforts have created a safe, caring space for the elderly despite humble beginnings.
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Addressing Critical Shortcomings and Looking Ahead
However, challenges persist. The facility is cramped, limiting opportunities for physical activity and social engagement, while there is no available space to establish a food garden. Recognising these limitations, the Foundation is exploring a move to a larger site in Chiawelo, which would offer more room for stimulation activities, a sharper environment, and close proximity to essential services such as SASSA offices and a 24‑hour provincial clinic.
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A Birthday of Purpose and Presence
In marking “Dr. Collen Mashawana’s Birthday,” the Foundation reiterated its commitment to restoring dignity, hope, and quality of life to our elderly citizens. The statement makes it clear: “we reaffirm our dedication to walking alongside such initiatives, ensuring that no elderly person is left behind in their time of need.”
This latest action builds on the Foundation’s long-standing dedication to vulnerable South Africans. Since its establishment in 2012, the Collen Mashawana Foundation has been active in improving lives through housing, food support, and community care. It has constructed approximately 300 houses in collaboration with government partners and distributed food parcels to those in need  .
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