A large group of senior citizens from across the city were treated to a day of pampering, fun and festivities made possible by the Independent Women’s Empowerment Bond (Iweb).
The Kensington-based organisation was established in 2000 and provides support to the vulnerable, orphaned children and the elderly in Kensington and surrounding areas.
Late last month, more than 600 elderly citizens from areas including Athlone, Strandfontein, Delft, Mitchell’s Plain, Lansdowne, Kensington, Manenberg, Bonteheuwel, Wynberg, Steenberg and Hillview were hosted at Dawn Mountain in Klapmuts.
Jasmina Ratcliffe (78), founder of the organisation, explains that her late husband started an initiative in which he would care for and provide food parcels to widows in the area.
She explains when her husband died 22 years ago, she and her daughter, Wiedah Gabier-Mohamed, decided to carry on with his legacy.
Ratcliffe says: “I told my daughter I will start an organisation and she said she will help. We started out with a pot of soup and fed the elderly and chronic patients who needed to take their medication, because people cannot take medication on empty stomachs.”
She says the aim of the organisation is to care for the needs of the widows and orphans.
Gabier-Mohamed says: “Iweb caters mostly for the underprivileged and orphaned children. No matter their colour, gender and race. We look after the widows and single parents with children. We are women for women assisted by men.”
Gabier-Mohamed explains that losing her dad and husband two weeks apart left her and her mom struggling to stay afloat.
“People think life is rosy when your husband passes away because you will have money. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the case for us. My mom has two younger kids, and I had my two boys. We faced many obstacles.”
Gabier-Mohamed says she and her mom were determined to carry on with her dad’s dream.
Fast forward to today, the organisation caters to the needs of hundreds of children and seniors.
She explains that the annual senior’s day event is to show appreciation to the elderly.
“We want to honour them and spoil them and tell them that we recognise them as seniors. They are our diamonds. They are the forgotten ones, and we actually have to learn from them.”
Gabier-Mohamed explains that this year saw 660 seniors from 65 years and older.
“Every year before we plan an event, we would ask the seniors what they want. They told us they don’t want to be in halls anymore, they want to be outdoors. From then we decided to look for suitable venues each year. This event had to take place in 2020, but had to be cancelled because of the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Gabier-Mohamed thanked their sponsors who came on board so the elderly could be treated to lunch, supper and receive goodie bags, baskets, groceries and blankets among other things.
“The oldest person there was 103 years old. She received a luxury basket valued at R1 000.”
Ratcliffe says she is elated that the organisation is still operating.
“I cannot thank God enough, because when we started, we started small, but today our organisation is growing bigger and bigger. I cannot thank God enough and for the sponsors that helped us. Thank you for all the donations. I ask God to spare us for many more years to go still.”
