The plight of the pensioner

I wish to refer to an article, ‘Respect the Elderly’ in the COURIER dated September 9, written by Kubra Mahomed. I was so moved by what was mentioned about how the pensioners struggle to survive on their meagre monthly pensions.

I am a pensioner living at Reuven Complex for pensioners, and I know how difficult it is to buy the necessities, to last for the month while the cost of living is continuously escalating, it is almost impossible to keep up with the soaring price of groceries, meat, detergents, home medication, transport, paying the rent, electricity, funeral subscription and church offerings.

On a shopping day, I will go to Pick n Pay and compare the prices of what I need, I then go to Shoprite, to compare their prices, this can easily take an hour or two before I buy my groceries and meat.

For many of the pensioners, come the second week of the month, they have no money to buy food, many struggle to survive, especially those with no family members to assist them. We are so thankful to some of the organisations, schools and churches, especially Meals on Wheels and Sue Lubbe and Friends for their kind contributions, it means so much to those who are forever struggling to survive.

Regarding to standing in the long queues on pension day, some of the pensioners will be up by 05:00 the morning, preparing to go to Southdale for their pensions, taking a slow walk that can easily take an hour, some walk with difficulty, others must be assisted at a fee. And still to stand patiently in the queue, many are tired and in pain, nowhere to sit, all they have to do is to be patient while bearing discomfort and inconvenience.

Freda Woodhouse