SENIOR CITIZENS CLUB COMMITTEE

In 1993 the Duffs Road Child Welfare Society formed a sub-committee to promote the interests of the senior citizens and to offer them opportunities to socialise, to go on tours and to celebrate events so that their twilight years are spent in a wholesome way.

The Committee was formed with Mr. D. Ganesh as Chairman, Mrs. Sangeetha Ramparsad as Treasurer and Mr. Udesh Ramparsad as tour organiser. The Committee manages its own finances and has its own bank account.

This club meets regularly on the first Wednesday of each month between 15h00 and 16h00 at the Duffs Road Community Hall for high tea and to discuss events and tours.

TOURS: In its 20 year history, the club went on several tours both within South Africa and abroad.

Some of the places of interest visited were:

  1. Cape Town: At least three trips to Cape Town were made. Cities and places of interest like Kokstad, East London, Port Elizabeth, Knysna, George, Paarl, Wellington, Robben Island, Chapman’s Peak, Seal island, Aquariums, museums and many places of interest were visited. On one occasion, the Club members went by train to Cape Town, toured the City and returned on the MSC Sinfonia.
  2. Eastern Transvaal: The Club members toured Johannesburg, Gold Reef City, Lost City, Kruger National Park, Warmbaths (Bela Bela) and surrounding areas.
  3. Pretoria: Members visited the Union Buildings, the Zoo and other places of interest.
  4. Swaziland and Mozambique: These countries were visited on numerous occasions.
  5. Mauritius: In 1997, the Club under the guidance of the late Mr. D. Gobindnarain, a retired principal, went on a tour to Mauritius.
  6. India: In 2013 a group from the Club and members of the public under tour leader Udesh Ramparsad visited Dubai and India.
  7. MSC Tours: The Club took members on the MSC Melody on a 2 night tour to nowhere.
  8. KwaZulu Natal: Several tours were embarked upon. Trips to the Homesteads on the foothills of the Drakensberg, Strawberry farm in the Midlands Umfolozi Game Reserve, St Lucia and other places of interest.

All in all, the Senior Citizens’ Club has been very active in its 20 years of existence. Parties to celebrate Mother’s and Father’s Day are held as well as Diwali and Christmas Dinners. The spirit of camaraderies is most gratifying with members full of appreciation for what is provided for them. It would be an understatement if it is observed that had it not been for the Senior Citizens’ Club most of the people would not have had an opportunity of visiting so many places of interest.