Dignity restored as inmates renovate pensioner’s house
A GROUP of inmates helped to renovate a dilapidated house belonging to a pensioner in a collective effort to prove to society that the elderly deserve to be treated with dignity.
The inmates renovated the house in Marcus Garvey settlement in Philippi East through an initiative by the Department of Correctional Services, which also served the purpose of reintegrating them into their communities.
Land Reform and Rural Development Deputy Minister Mcebisi Skwatsha, who attended the handover yesterday, said he was made aware of the plight of 83-year-old Monwabisi Tyewu by the community of Marcus Garvey.
Tyewu’s neighbours had raised concerns over what they described as the “inhumane conditions” under which he lived in a tiny oneroomed house. The octogenerian can’t speak and uses an electrolarynx to communicate.
Skwatsha, in collaboration with the department, dispatched a team of inmates to clean the house, fix the old ceiling, change the door and build a bathroom, before painting the house inside and out.
Correctional Services regional commissioner Delekile Klaas said his department was engaging in a number of similar community outreach projects, mainly aimed at alleviating poverty in communities through building and renovating the homes of needy families.
Klaas said that using inmates demonstrated the department’s initiative in rehabilitating offenders.
“As we prepare for (Nelson) Mandela’s birthday, we will do more of these initiatives, but we can achieve our goals when we work hand in hand with the community,” said Klaas.
Tyewu said he was grateful for the house, and would keep it neat and care for it. He said he felt his dignity had been restored.