Minopex has joined hands with faith-based organisation Resthaven Ministries to provide shelter for the elderly
By Staff Reporter
JOHANNESBURG — Mining services company Minopex has joined hands with faith-based organisation Resthaven Ministries to reopen a refurbished home to shelter the elderly in Rosettenville, Johannesburg, as part of its Mandela Day initiative.
The home, located at the New Life Centre, will provide shelter, care, and dignity to vulnerable senior citizens—many of whom were previously living in unsafe or neglected conditions.
The shelter project was made possible through a monetary donation from Minopex, which funded painting, renovations, and essential maintenance. Minopex staff also handed out sanitary care baskets to help meet the elderly residents’ daily hygiene needs.
“At Minopex, we believe that dignity, care, and compassion should be the foundation of how we support the most vulnerable in our society,” said Mpho Nkgodi, Minopex’s Senior Vice President for Origination and Special Projects.
“This is more than a donation—it’s a tribute to the lives and legacies of those who came before us.”
The official reopening of the shelter was held on Mandela Day, 18 July, and was attended by community members, donors, Minopex staff, and residents of the home.
Pastor Neil, founder of Resthaven Ministries, said in an interview with The Johannesburg Times that the event symbolised more than just charity.
“We’ve been inundated with calls from destitute pensioners needing shelter and accommodation. So, when we started converting the New Life Centre into a second home for the aged, the community was elated,” said Pastor Neil.
“Mandela Month often brings performative charity, but what Minopex has done is meaningful and lasting.”
Supporting the Forgotten
Resthaven Ministries has operated since 1972, starting as a small soup kitchen in Johannesburg’s southern suburbs. Over the years, it has grown to provide care for both HIV-affected orphans and abandoned pensioners.
“We found that the greatest need was with children affected by HIV and elderly people left to fend for themselves,” Pastor Neil explained.
“One of our most heartbreaking cases was four siblings, aged 4 to 14, who had never slept in proper beds until they arrived at our children’s home.”
The new Rosettenville shelter facility can accommodate over 20 elderly people once all rooms are completed. The need, however, remains urgent and ongoing.
The Need for Sustainable Support
Resthaven is fully registered as an NPO, PBO, and holds B-BBEE compliance status. This helps build donor trust, but operational challenges remain—from fuel costs and hospital visits to school transport and daily meals.
“One-off donations for the shelter are helpful and always appreciated, but they rarely solve systemic issues,” said Pastor Neil. “Sustainable partnerships embed social and environmental goals into a business’s DNA — that’s how real change happens.”
Minopex’s involvement began during last year’s Mandela Day, when they joined a community soup drive organised by Resthaven. Their continued support this year made a real difference, according to Pastor Neil.
A Day of Ubuntu
A sense of unity, hope and gratitude marked the Mandela Day event. Kenny Hlaise, who helped facilitate the celebration, was praised for his behind-the-scenes efforts in coordinating donors and volunteers.
“The spirit of Ubuntu was alive,” said Pastor Neil. “The old folk were overwhelmed by the turnout and the gift packs. Their speeches were heartfelt and showed how much they appreciated the love and care.”
Looking ahead, Resthaven wants to create a recreational space where the children and elderly in their care can relax together—with picnics, braais, and fellowship.
They also hope for more support from the government, particularly in areas like long-term operational funding and subsidised legal and accounting assistance.
A Call to Action
“If you really want to make a difference, it’s not just about giving money,” Pastor Neil said. “Volunteer your time. Offer your skills. Come spend a day with us—you’ll change a life, and maybe even your own.”
For Minopex, the event was more than a gesture—it was a commitment to building stronger, more compassionate communities.
“Partnering with Resthaven reflects our unwavering commitment to upliftment,” said Nkgodi. “We are honoured to contribute to a cause that ensures our elders are not only housed but truly cared for.”
To support Resthaven Ministries, visit www.resthaven.org.za or contact them directly for donation and volunteer opportunities.
