TAFTA takes a stand against elder abuse
Durban's senior citizens raised their voices against elder abuse in a march through Durban.
THE Association for the Aged (TAFTA) hosted an awareness walk around Durban Central last week to raise awareness of elder abuse.
Around 100 residents from various old aged homes took to the street with placards to voice their disapproval of all forms of abuse of the elderly.
“There have been many recent reports on elder abuse. We as an organisation that provides services to the very vulnerable among the elderly have decided to take a stand to say enough is enough. We as a community should be caring for our elderly and not abusing or taking advantage of them,” said Femada Shamam from TAFTA.
Following the walk, a memorandum of TAFTA’s concerns was handed to Joe Nene, a representative from the eThekwin’Mayor’s office.
The memorandum explained that the marchers were senior citizens who had worked hard in their day, were the grandparents who took care of grandchildren, and were now the ones being raped, murdered, abused and beaten. It went on to say that they had fought for a better life and wanted to enjoy South Africa’s democracy, but that they were not safe and were victims of crime and poor service delivery.
They called for the mayor to intervene, to provide better policing, better services at their hospitals and clinics and for them to be respected and treated with dignity, and to be kept safe as they collect their pensions.
“We need the municipality to talk to the bus and taxi associations who are transporting the elderly and ask them to be patient as they climb in and out of the buses and taxis. The municipality needs to fix the city pavements as the elderly are afraid to walk on them as they are uneven. We invite the mayor to meet with us to talk about how we can work together,” said Femada.
TAFTA is a non-profit organisation providing services and care to more than 5 500 older people on a monthly basis. Services include social services, accommodation (fit, frail and those who need assisted living), Meals on Wheels, home-based care, transport to state hospitals and clinics and outreach through service centres and clubs.
