Campaign to treat senior citizens with dignity held in Meadowlands
Representatives from government sectors, including home affairs, health care facilities. SASSA, and SAPS were among the invited speakers.
Johannesburg Older Persons Forum (JOPF) has urged the government to prioritise treating elders with respect and dignity when offering them services.
This was announced at the Comprehensive Awareness Day that was hosted at the Sadaac Community Hall, Meadowlands, on September 13.
Representatives from government sectors, including home affairs, and health care facilities. SASSA, and SAPS were among the invited speakers.
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Speaking to Urban News, chairperson of JOPF Lebohang Mohulatsi, said: “When elderly people seek government services, no one looks after them. Just a few sectors treat elderly people with dignity when providing services.
“We know that not every elderly person can read and write, so those who can’t, really need assistance, and unfortunately, some of the government sectors disregard the elderly people, so today we want to make sure that the government sectors offer their services to the elderly with dignity.’’
Mohulatsi stated that the representatives of the government sectors have committed to treat the elderly in a correct manner when giving services.
The campaign will be held on a quarterly basis so that elderly know their rights and are recognised in the government department institutions.
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Secretary of JOPF, Nomsa Zwane, said as a committee for the elderly, they want to make sure that elderly people grow in terms of information awareness so that they may know which platform to go to when having certain issues.
“We invited various stakeholders today to meet with the elders and provide them with the necessary information so that they know where to go when they have problems.
“We want to ensure that the elders are not left behind and that any changes that occur in any government department, elders are aware of them,” said Zwane.
Elizabeth Ndlovu, an elder from Meadowlands who attended the campaign, said attending the awareness day was critical since the information offered was essential.
“As elders, we lack information, and that makes our family members take advantage of us.
“However, with the information I have received today, I know who to contact when I have a certain problem.
“I also now know I shouldn’t take my troubles to the neighbours because they end up advising me incorrectly, but I must go directly to a vital department. So attending this event was not a waste of time,’’ said Ndlovu.
