LIFE is hard for madala Tlhopego Ramotshabi.
The 64-year-old from Welgeval in Moruleng, North West lives alone and villagers desperately need help for him. He depends on kind-hearted neighbours to bring him food, help him wash clothes and bath him. The madala can’t even walk properly.
No one knows the whereabouts of his family or anyone who could have known him in the past. He lives in an RDP house which villagers described as a pigsty.
Pholomodi wa Sechaba home-based care worker, Lebogang Mooketsa said the madala should be taken to an old age home or hospice.
“We try to help, but due to lack of resources, we can’t afford full care for him,” she said. She added that they were not trained to handle such patients.
"The madala needs medical treatment. We are worried that the madala could die alone and his family won’t even know about his death,” said Lebogang.
Neighbour Gadifele Mmamoruntshi said they have tried numerous times to report the issue with the local offices, but nothing has been done.
“Social workers once came to assess his home situation, but no action has been taken after a very long time. He is a danger to himself and others because he is sometimes violent and aggressive. The recent incident was when he burned the house and all the furniture,“ she said.
Gadifele said the madala’s house is not a suitable place for an elderly person.
Petrus Siko, North West Social Development spokesman, said processes are at an advanced stage to help the madala be admitted to Bophelong Psychiatric Hospital by 6 February.
He said the madala is being looked after by home-based care workers, who are also struggling to ensure he has food and takes his medication.
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“There are no other family members who can be engaged to provide care and support to the client. In July 2023, the client was discharged from Moses Kotane Hospital as the hospital indicated that they could not keep him for a longer period because he has recovered,” he said.
Siko said the designated social worker secured admission for the madala at Gorogang Bagodi Old Age and Day Care Centre in Rustenburg as it was the only registered and compliant old age home nearby.
“The client reportedly insulted other members at the centre. The centre allegedly discharged him without informing the designated social worker of their intention to discharge him,” he said.
He said since the madala’s return from Gorogang Bagodi Old Age and Day Centre, he has defaulted from treatment and allegedly refuses to go to the clinic to get his injections.
