Probably the most common question we’ve had during the launch of Wazee has been ‘What does Wazee mean?’ or ‘Where did you get that name from? Perhaps it is not an unsurprising question, with a very simple answer.
THE DEFINITION OF WAZEE
To begin with it is important to know from which language this great word comes from. Wazee is a Swahili noun for; older people, respected people, dignified men and women, ancestors. The term is most often used in an affectionate context when referring to elders in the community. At the core Wazee is about supporting and caring for the elderly so we couldn’t think of a better sounding, more fitting word that represented what we do.
Wazee being a Swahili word normally prompts another thought, ‘Why Swahili?’.
WHY SWAHILI
The team behind Wazee are all South African born and bred. Sarah grew up in Knysna and worked with James for over 36 years in Cape Town before returning to live in Knysna and begin work on the launch of Wazee in 2021. Saneah is from Gqeberha, formerly Port Elizabeth, and now bases herself in Bloemfontein. The fact that the team is South African of course has little connection to Swahili, other than the fact that Swahili is the most spoken language on the same continent. Swahili is spoken by an estimated 200 million Africans and that is enough of a connection for us to claim it as our name.
Swahili has its origin in East Africa and is the most spoken language in Africa. It is spoken in these 14 countries: Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), South Sudan, Somalia, Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, Comoros, and as far as Oman and Yemen in the Middle East.
WHAT DOES WAZEE DO?
We provide your loved ones with support and companionship when you can’t. Our companions visit and spend time with your loved ones on a regular basis, normally weekly.
Via our app you can ask our companion to check up on things that might be on your mind; ask for updates about anything and our companion will give feedback to you after their visit. If we notice anything that doesn’t seem right or are asked about things, we think you can help your loved one with, we will let you know. Simple things like is the house clean and tidy, are they looking well and well kept, do they seem happy or concerned about something around the house or their health – we’ll do our best to inform you. Our companions also visit loved ones in care homes. Very often care home staff don’t have time to spend chatting with their residents, our companions are dedicated to spending time with your loved ones and keeping you abreast of their thoughts, news, general health and wellbeing.
If you know of an elderly person living in the Garden Route that might be lonely and or you’d like someone independent to check up on them weekly, then please get in touch on info@wazee.com or 069 8273 976.