Elderly honoured at Mapungubwe fest

Older persons were the guests of honour at a meeting specially organised for them as part of the Mapungubwe Arts, Culture and Heritage Festival programme at the Jack Botes hall in Polokwane on Monday.
Premier Stan Mathabatha was there to meet and greet them, as was Sport, Arts and Culture MEC Onicca Moloi and her counterpart for Social Development, Joyce Mashamba. Mathabatha told the guests that younger people look up to them as they had wisdom and experience, which make for the best teacher. He called on all the elderly to pull together and make a difference in the lives of others and said the best way to live together was to respect each other and be kind to another. He also paid tribute to them as heritage keepers.
Solomon Nchabeleng, National Chairperson of the Older Persons’ Forum addressed the elderly, warning that members are “retired, but not tired” and “nothing about us without us”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFOxC-tt4Zg&feature=youtu.be
He told attendees more about the forum and its aims, such as that it is the mouthpiece for the elderly and that they still want to add value to the community they live in as they still had a lot of energy and can bring about change in communities. They still can advise government about issues, and specifically about issues regarding the elderly. They also play an advocacy role in issues pertaining to and the needs of the elderly. He asked the elderly to look after themselves and to take care with their lifestyle.

The role that the elderly could play in moral regeneration and preventing teenage pregnancies and crime is important, according to Nchabeleng.
Mathole Motshekga, representing the African National Congress’ Department of Legal and Constitutional Affairs also addressed the guests.
Young children entertained the elderly with traditional dances at the event.

Right: Young children dance during the function, entertaining the elderly with traditional dances.

Story, photos and videos: NELIE ERASMUS
>>nelie.observer@gmail.com

Featured photo: Sport, Arts and Culture MEC Onicca Moloi and her Social Development counterpart, Joyce Mashamba have a quiet word before the event started.