Celebration of older people

GREATER Tzaneen acting mayor, Lucy Ncha has called on families to use the old age grant to give pensioners a decent life.

Ncha was speaking during the commemoration of International Day of Older Persons at Senwabakgololo sports ground at Patamedi village recently.

She spoke in light of several incidents of abuse of pensioners by relatives who allegedly take their social grant money for their own use.

“We are concerned about the condition some of the elderly live in, they live in squalid conditions,” Ncha said.

Martha Mookamedi of the department of social development advised pensioners to get in touch with various organisations that have their best interests at heart.

“Pensioners should be left alone to celebrate and enjoy themselves,” Mookamedi said.

Capt David Seunane of the Bolobedu police issued a stern warning to loan sharks who withhold pensioners’ IDs when they make a loan with them.

He said such incidents should be reported to the police immediately.

He said pensioners were vulnerable to different incidents of crime such as robbery, rape and assault by people who frequently robbed them of their social grant money.

Seunane further warned the children of these pensioners, especially their daughters, to stop taking their (pensioners) money to gamble and buy alcohol.

During the commemoration, guests were entertained by traditional music and dramas by various groups from Mavele village.

Centenarians who live in the area were presented with gifts, which were sponsored by Old Mutual.

They are Shokane Modjadji from Mookgo Block 7 who is 114 years old, Gabaza Maria Bova (112) from Xihoko village, Masilo Mohale (100) from Patamedi village and Makoma Machethe (100) from Rikhotso village.