MEC visit

The Lekwa Municipality gave an early Christmas to the elderly at the Sakhile Stadium last Monday.
They came from all corners of Sakhile to enjoy the day meant to spoil them with gifts and show them they are appreciated.
The day was part of the celebrations of the Month of the Elderly.
The MEC of Social Development, Ms Mashego Dlamini, was present to celebrate with the senior citizens.
Pastor Bongiwe Sibeko opened the proceedings with a prayer. The residents of Vukuzimele Old Age Home performed a song to welcome the Executive Mayor, Ms Caroline Morajane.

Ms Morajane thanked everyone for attending and talked about the abuse of the elderly.

“We want to fight against abuse of our elderly citizens,” she said.

Ms NL Mlangeni, HOD of the Department of Social Development, outlined the purpose of the gathering.
“The provincial government seeks to meet and talk to senior citizens and also wants to encourage them to form local elderly forums to create a platform to engage about the challenges they face,” she said.
Mr N Nyembe, Local Manager of SASSA, assured them they are essential clients and announced that the payout for December would be done on 29 and 30 November.
The officials from the Department of Home Affairs urged those present to keep their ID documents safe at all times.
A representative from the department informed the public that late registr

ations for birth certificates are done at the local office.
According to him, the smart card IDs will be issued countrywide according to the year of birth.
Ms Dlamini then delivered her keynote address.
She encouraged elderly people to look after their health and enjoy their pension to the fullest.
She also touched on the issue of abuse and warned against abusive grandchildren.

The department donated 2 000 blankets, 2 000 toilet bags with toiletries and 50 food parcels.

Six selected families received vegetables and groceries and 120 pre-school pupils school bags.