Last year donations from our readers along the Garden Route contributed R20 000 to the Zimbabwean Pensioners Support Fund (ZPSF) which took provisions to the sometimes barely surviving elderly of Zimbabwe for Christmas.
Director of ZPSF Hannes Botha’s convoy of trucks will once again prepare to make its way to the senior citizens, many of whom have no income or relatives to assist them, to reach them in time for Easter. Botha began collecting relief parcels after a visit to friends in Zimbabwe made him aware of the shocking circumstances that pensioners found themselves in.
"We are currently supporting just over 1 650 pensioners," explains Linda Schultz, also of ZPSF.
Pastor Attie Botha joined the last convoy in February and wrote in his diary:
"Some of the old folk we meet are in their 90s. They openly yearn for personal contact; they want to personally say, thank you South Africa and the ZPSF for all you do. It drives me to tears every trip, to hear the many accolades these dear folk have for us all. Once again I urge readers to take time out to do a trip with us to see and experience the love these folk have for you, the only life-line some of them have."
Pastor Botha writes about how, stop after stop, they were told that a frail care centre is being closed or has already been shut down, the staff without work, the residents destitute.
"We were advised that due to unrealistic labour salary increases of 100%, it was no longer economically viable to keep the frail care facilities open," writes Botha.
At Mazoe Valley Trust Cottages in Bindura, Botha writes that they saw Kitty van Heystein and was told that the closing of that frail care centre was complete and that the remaining residents were all illegitimate. "Her job as matron was now over, she was retrenched and really doesn't know what will happen to her now. When we come across these situations we once again realise we are so blessed, and so many of us take things for granted."
At Chivhu the convoy finds Bertus Kirstein packing up his parents’ home. Albert and Leanie were leaving their birth land, leaving behind more than 80 years and three generations of history. "The look of desolation, disappointment and pain on Bertus' face was too agonising to behold. This event also closes the doors on many years of faithful service by long-serving workers who now are jobless. A very sad, sad day for us all.
These old folk have become our extended families and we, theirs. You cannot relocate an old tree..."
Read Pastor Botha’s complete diary on our website, www.knysnaplettherald.com.
For more information on ZPSF, kindly contact Linda Schultz on 079 6082676 or 013 7900934, and visit them on www.zimpen.co.za
ARTICLE: ANOESCHKA VON MECK
