Elderly people take charge
The elderly people started walking from the church around the community of Mahube Valley holding placards and handing out pamphlets with messages about different kinds of abuse on elderly people.
Elderly people took to the streets of Mahube Valley in Mamelodi East to raise their concerns about gender-based violence.
The 2km walk was organised by Gauteng Age-in-Action as part of the celebration of World Elderly Abuse Awareness Day on Friday.
Age-in-Action chairperson Sibongile Mjanqeka said all senior citizen clubs around Tshwane, other community members and Mamelodi stakeholders were invited.
She said the aim was to raise awareness of the rights of elderly people and the different kinds of abuse they suffered.
The elderly people met at Faith and Charity Mission church in Mahube Valley where they underwent health screenings before joining the walk.
“The elderly people walked around Mahube Valley from the church holding placards, handing out pamphlets highlighting the different kinds of abuse on elderly people,” said Mjanqeka.
She said the kinds of abuse the campaign wanted to highlight were physical, financial, isolation or neglect, sexual and other violations of human rights.
Age-in-Action secretary Phumzile Gama said the event was a success and they invited Mamelodi East police, crime prevention wardens, social development, Tshwane health department, Sassa, Property Law and councillor Pinkie Lelaka.
She said the second phase of the awareness day was aerobics instructed by Monica Choko at the church.
“The elderly people were advised about the importance of exercise and keeping fit.”
“Many senior citizens complain of joint pains and a lot of chronic diseases so we told them that exercise helps reduce visits to the clinics and hospitals,” said Gama.
Cllr Pinkie Lelaka said it was always a pleasure to be around elderly people because “we can learn a lot from our elderly people”.
She said the day was also about celebrating elders.
“A healthy mind in a healthy body for the elders,” said Lelaka.
“We also encouraged elderly people that are always behind closed doors to come join senior citizens’ clubs within their different communities to fight boredom,” she said.
“We are also saying to elderly people abusers, no more.
“We are watching and are coming for you.”
“The community and different stakeholders are here to protect elderly people,” said Lelaka.
The elderly people were also advised to break the silence and start reporting abuse.
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