Elderly Day celebration
Senior citizens from Tsakane Old Age Home and Tsakane Service Centre celebrated Elderly Day together.
The celebration, held at Tsakane Old Age Home last Friday, saw more than 70 old people gathered to hear about their rights and also be educated about how to vote for the national and provincial government in the upcoming elections.
On the day, speakers took turns to educate the senior citizens about their rights including the social workers from Ekurhuleni department of social development.
Theresa Lodewyk from Ekurhuleni’s social development department said older people have a right to know their rights.
“They have a right to be respected and protected at all times,” said Lode Wyk.
She also encouraged them to maintain a healthy and good relationship with their families.
Lodewyk believes that the importance of an excellent relationship between the old people and their families is to ensure that old people have someone to always share their problems with and also so they are taken good care of by those close to them.
Senior citizen, Nellie Maqungo (83) said she was happy to know that even old people have rights.
“I felt like the government only provided children with rights and forgot about us,” said Maqungo.
She said among the rights that old people have, she is happy that they also have a right to vote, something that they were denied during the apartheid era.
Maqungo also encouraged other senior citizens to respect the rights of others and continue giving guidance to the youth.
Delivering a keynote address, Amos Mothoa explained that the old people have a right to ensure that there is discipline in her homes.
“Do not allow yourselves to be victims of abuse by your children and grandchildren but report them to the police or someone that you trust,” said Mothoa.
Phoko Mongale, Tsakane Old Age Home manager said the celebration was aimed at educating the old people about their rights so that they can report any bad treatment that they might get from the home’s staff members and top management.
“We want to avoid abuse towards the old people by ensuring that they are treated with the respect, love and dignity that they deserve,” said Mongale.
