On 25 February 2025, Huis Johannes, a program of Badisa, in Beaufort West was visited by two delegations as part of the Western Cape Government’s outreach programme to the town.
The first visit was led by Minister Simmers, the Provincial Minister of Infrastructure Development, along with his Head of Department, Advocate Smith. The Minister and his delegation of approximately 15 officials attended a presentation on the home’s operations and the challenges faced by the elderly care sector. Following the presentation, the Minister, along with his team, toured the facility under the guidance of the home’s manager and the chairperson of the management board.
Donations and support for Huis Johannes
Ahead of the visit, the Minister’s office donated several essential items to Huis Johannes, including:
- 15 filing cabinets
- 2 computers
- Cleaning supplies and toiletries for residents
- Labour support from EPWP workers to assist with painting the home
During his tour, the Minister acknowledged the urgent need for roof repairs due to ongoing leaks and assured that assistance would be provided. Additionally, the Head of the Department indicated that they would explore the possibility of funding EPWP workers to supplement caregiver salaries, as many currently earn less than the minimum wage.
Assessing progress since 2023 visit
The second visit was conducted by five Standing Committees of the Legislature, led by Ms Kaizer-Philander, Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Social Development. The purpose of their visit was to assess the home’s progress in addressing issues identified during a previous visit in 2023.
A delegation of around 25 members and officials, representing all political parties in the legislature, participated in the visit. The session included a comprehensive presentation on the challenges within the elderly care sector, highlighting key concerns such as:
- The impact of stagnant subsidies, as subsidies have not increased since the 2019/20 financial year
- Compliance challenges for homes like Huis Johannes, which only accommodate low-income residents, struggle to meet the national norms and standards for staffing requirements
Future considerations
Following the presentation, the delegation toured the facility to see first-hand the progress made since their last visit. The delegation was pleased with the improvements, particularly how the R650,000 donation from the Department of Social Development (DSD) via Badisa is being used to renovate bathrooms and make other enhancements.
At the conclusion of the visit, the chairperson of the standing committee expressed gratitude to Badisa, the home’s management, and the board for their significant progress. She also extended an invitation for a similar presentation to be made to the full Standing Committee on Social Development, focusing on the broader challenges facing the sector.
Badisa was represented at the visit by three elderly care coordinators, while the home was represented by its manager and chairperson of the management board.
For more information visit www.badisa.org.za
