Kwa-Thema elderly refuse to be left behind
“I don’t want to be left behind while my peers are learning ways on how to move with the times,” she explained.
Kwa-Thema – The phrase “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks” does not apply to this group of local pensioners.
They have taken up a skill to learn how to navigate their smartphones and social media platforms to keep up with the times.
This was part of celebrating South African Library Week at the Kwa Thema Library with a campaign called Gogo’s Go Online.
Gogo Maria Mahlangu said she will join the classes to learn the skill.
“I own a smartphone but I can only make calls. These classes will help me learn how to use my phone to access other services and interact with my friends through social media platforms.
“I don’t want to be left behind while my peers are learning ways on how to move with the times,” she explained.
She added that the new skill will help her access important messages from the church and community patrollers.
Mahlangu added it hasn’t been easy, but she practises every time she is at home from her notes.
“People take the skill for granted but if you can’t use your smartphone and social media, you get left behind,” she added.
Mahlangu added she will now set up a social media platform to be part of the global world.
Also read: Bringing up an “online generation”
Another gogo, Samantha Maluleka, said, “Over the years, I have heard that only bad things are posted on social media and I thought it is part of the devil’s world until recently.
“My grandchildren tried to convince me to download one of the instant messaging applications but I didn’t want to be part of that world until recently,” she added.
Librarian Portia Mosetlhe said they decided to roll out the initiative after they received complaints from senior citizens.
They alleged their families didn’t have the patience nor time to teach them how to use their smartphones.
“We started the classes with a small group of senior citizens who have smartphones and have never used social media platforms.
“We know through the apps, they will be able to call for help when they are in need and be updated about the activities in their communities,” she added.
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