Gogo celebrates 105 years
Accompanied by Ward 11 councillor Sbonelo Maphumulo and social workers, the KZN MEC for Social Development, Mbali Shinga, gifted Manobela Luthuli with a blanket and a goodie basket.
Well-known Umzumbe traditional healer Gogo Manobela Luthuli celebrated her 105th birthday recently.
The KZN MEC for Social Development, Mbali Shinga, used Freedom Day (April 27) to celebrate Luthuli’s birthday with her.
Shinga described Luthuli as an important figure in the community who helps pregnant women and new-born babies.
Accompanied by Ward 11 councillor Sbonelo Maphumulo and social workers, Shinga gifted Luthuli with a blanket and a goodie basket.
“As the Department of Social Development, we have to honour, protect, and uplift the elders of our society. Senior citizens like Gogo Luthuli embody the spirit of resilience, wisdom, and dignity that helped build our nation. We are grateful for her contributions and those of many others in shaping the future for generations to come,” said Shinga.
She added that the department was guided by the Senior Citizens’ Charter, which mandates the protection of older persons and the promotion of their rights.
In fulfilling this mandate, added Shinga, the department runs numerous programmes to improve the well-being of the elderly, ensuring their dignity, participation, and security are prioritised.
“Freedom Day is not just a reminder of our political liberation; it is a celebration of the individuals who through their sacrifices nurtured and supported communities under difficult conditions. As the government, we remain committed to ensuring that our senior citizens live their golden years with respect, dignity, and access to essential services,” she said.
Shinga added that the department’s initiatives for older persons included community-based care and support services, awareness programmes on the rights of older people, and various interventions to promote active ageing.
She said the celebration was a testament to the department’s unwavering commitment to fostering a caring and inclusive society where senior citizens are not only protected, but also celebrated for their lifelong contributions.
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