METHODIST HOMES FOR THE AGED CELEBRATES 40 YEARS

METHODIST HOMES FOR THE AGED CELEBRATES 40 YEARS
Trevor Joseph – C.E.O. MHA


On 28 August 1970 the Section 21 Company, Methodist Homes for the Aged, was registered.  According to extracts from “Ever Onwards”, written by Matthew Eddy, a founding director, on his retirement, the seed was sown with a small bequest in the 1960s from the Estate of E Orlando Leake, half of which was “to provide rooms for needy elderly persons...”.   The matter was taken on by Dr JB Webb, Chairman of the Transvaal District of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa and Matt Eddy.   (See photo)

Looking back, it is hard to imagine that a relatively small amount in today’s terms could have started an organisation that is today providing accommodation for 1800 residents.  About 900 of these have acquired life rights to live in their cottages, almost 400 live in rented accommodation at very affordable rentals, and another 500 are located in the eight frail and mid-care centres.

Samuel Broadbent House (see photo) in Potchefstroom is where the plans came to fruition.  Then followed Queenswood, a green fields development, and Eddy House in Benoni which had been Epworth House for girls.  Fairleads came next and was the organisation’s first frail care centre.   Fairhavens was a particularly exciting new project undertaken when the Johannesburg suburb of Fairview was undergoing renewal by the City.  Eventide was acquired in 1980 from the Baptist Union and Thomas Hodgson, now known as Elandshaven, was acquired from the Roman Catholic Church and redeveloped, opening its doors in 1982.  That brought the total number of facilities in the group to seven, after which the growth continued.  The Primrose Villa maternity home was acquired and re-modelled and now specialises in Alzheimer’s and dementia cases.  Then followed Arbor Village, Garden Village and Ridgeview, all of which were new developments.

When Ian Ives (see photo) took over the helm, he was responsible for the development of Rose Village and Summit Village.  At the time of the release of Nelson Mandela, when others were making plans to emigrate, Ian focused in a difficult economic environment to bring his dreams to reality.  At a similar time, Summerfield Park came on board at the request of the management committee, which first consulted to MHA for advice and then realised the benefits of being part of a group with a credible track record.

13 homes and villages in all located in the Gauteng and North West Provinces.

The organisation is now accountable to a Board of Directors (see photo), comprising prominent business people, chartered accountants, a lawyer, and people with considerable experience in the industry.  They guide the organisation, ensuring that the original mission, which is to provide affordable, secure and caring accommodation and services for the elderly is fulfilled.

Board of directors picture:  Mrs Iris Wrighton, Rev Dr Neil Oosthuizen, Mr Trevor Joseph, Mr Ron Fandam, Mr Les Smith, Mr Tony Geake, Mr Martin Hopkins, Mr Rupert Gush.
Absent at time of picture:  Dr Solomon Matseke, Mr Walter Mokoape.