Durban beachfront elderly connect to modern technology
A technology session for seniors in Durban received an enthusiastic response, with attendees calling for a second session.
It was a day of newfound insight, humor, phone-fiddling, and curiosity when the senior citizens of North and South Beach gathered to attend a technology class at Grosvenor Court on Saturday (October 3).
The session was conducted free of charge by Ebrahim Asmal, the Head of IT at DUT, and his team of students, and co-ordinated by Rookaya Vawda of the North Beach Ratepayers Association.
Asmal was impressed with the attendance and the general atmosphere as he navigated the room.
“The session was very interactive; the students were amazing, and we all enjoyed the experience. We are planning a follow-up session, where we will dive into advanced courses, e.g., cybersecurity, robotics, emails, AI, and social media,” Asmal said.
“Technology for the elderly is essential because it helps them stay connected, independent, and engaged in modern society. Smartphones and digital tools allow them to communicate easily with family and access important services such as healthcare and banking. It also improves their confidence and safety,” Asmal added.
Saturday’s course covered the basics and everyday needs which the elderly found to be useful. These included how to connect to Wi-Fi, SIM cards, WhatsApp, e-hailing, online shopping, medical services, and banking.
Chummy Brijnath, chairperson of South Two North Beach Senior Citizens Social Club, shared, “We wanted to express our sincere gratitude for the very informative course. We found the teachings clear, engaging and exceptionally well prepared. We have come away with a much deeper understanding of the subject and a great appreciation for the time and effort put into sharing the knowledge.”
The general feedback from the elderly was excitement and requests for a second session. The organisers conveyed gratitude to Grosvenor Court which afforded the free venue and refreshments, as well as the administration team who worked tirelessly to see the success of the event.
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