ALLEMANSDRIFT B – The Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature’s Select Committee on Women, Youth, Children and People with Disabilities conducted an oversight visit to Egodeni Care Centre in Allemansdrift B, under Dr JS Moroka Local Municipality, on April 8, 2025.
Thokozile Mahlangu, speaking on behalf of the Department of Social Development, delivered a presentation outlining the background of the centre and the programmes it offers.
“The main objective of the centre is to ensure that the rights of persons with disabilities are upheld,” said Mahlangu. She explained that the services offered by Egodeni Care Centre fall under three categories: a stimulation centre for children from the age of five up to adults aged 21, depending on the severity of their disabilities; the Khuthazanani Protective Workshop for skills development; and a residential facility providing specialised care.
The Department of Social Development has signed a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with the centre for the 2024/25 financial year. The agreement outlines the provision of health protection services targeting 18 identified beneficiaries, skills development for economic empowerment, and residential care services for persons with disabilities.
Centre manager Lena Masango (66) welcomed the visit and expressed hope for further support.
“We are happy, especially because Speedy Mashilo visited last year and promised they would return – and today, I see that they’ve kept their word. Going forward, I foresee great things,” said Masango.
Speaker of Dr JS Moroka Municipality, Rosina Nkoane, expressed her pride in the centre’s progress and welcomed the report presented to the committee. She also encouraged the continued education of communities on the importance of enrolling children with disabilities at the centre.
The municipality committed to providing support where needed. Nkoane noted that the high mast lights project would be included in future budgets due to the financial support it requires.
It also emerged during the visit that a total of R5 320 218 has been allocated towards the funding of the facility.
