TRANSFORMATION CHALLENGES EXPERIENCED BY GOVERNMENT-FUNDED NONGOVERNMENTAL ELDERLY HOMES IN SPRINGS
Date
2011-11-10
Authors
BUTHELEZI, FLORENCE NOKUTHULA
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Abstract
The purpose of transforming public service delivery operations
was appropriately structured, specifically in reconstructing and
bringing equity and equal access to public resources. Similarly,
by transforming NGOs in general and Elderly Residential Homes
in particular, the Department of Social Development was
earnestly aiming at effectively redressing inequalities and
addressing the skewed distribution of welfare services specifically
within those disadvantaged communities that remain on the
margins of society.
However, transformation prescriptions mostly put emphasis on
balancing racial ratios of beneficiaries, staff and governing board
structures within these Homes, thereby reducing the purpose of
transformation to simply eligibility for funding. Even the
legislative framework designed to support transformation
emphasises the financial suspension aspect of non-compliance
with transformation requirements. Clearly, such assumptions
tend to overlook the need to make a thorough scrutiny of the
real contextual challenges experienced by the Non-Governmental
Elderly Homes in their attempts to comply with transformation
requirements, especially those Homes that existed during the
apartheid period and serviced one racial group, because they
were suddenly expected to undergo drastic reforms to redefine
their service objectives in ways that display inclusiveness.
This report explores the challenges of transformation as
experienced by Non-Governmental Organizations, particularly
the Residential Homes for the Elderly. Through the qualitative
ii
method of observation, interviewing and document analysis, it
investigates the process of transformation as carried out within
the Non-Governmental Elderly Homes to achieve the required
level of transformation in their service delivery systems.
Emanating from the research results is the fact that, from the
perspective of Social Development, transformation was reduced
to nothing more than a ‘qualification’ to access Departmental
financial support, which then resulted in its real purpose being
ill-conceived and consequently unsuccessful. The Elderly Homes
in Springs cited the demand by the Department to transform as
putting a strain on their operational activities. Homes also feel
that they generally try to extend their services to other racial
groups but the Department seems unconcerned about the
problems they encounter in the transformation process. Drawn
from such findings, this report concluded that in its efforts to
transform community service delivery by Non-Governmental
Organizations in general and Elderly Homes in particular, the
same process of transformation should be understood and
viewed broadly so that the importance of the matter is properly
communicated to those organizations charged with taking it
further. Adequate transformation support systems should also be
set up to enable Elderly Homes to function at the required level
of transformed service provision.
Description
MM thesis - P&DM
Keywords
Old age homes, Institutions for th aged