International Older Persons Day unites Katlehong community
Katlehong senior citizens had an opportunity to have health check-ups as the event organisers invited the health department to service them on their special day.
Katlehong senior citizens were spoilt with lunch, gifts, a surprise dance performance and the Senior Citizen Choir’s voices to celebrate International Older Persons Day on October 1.
True Nation Drop-in Centre (TNDIC) on 6212 Nobakhethwa Street, Moleleki Section, played host of the event.
It gave the elderly a chance to socialise and catch up while enjoying old-school and gospel music and brought much-needed health services closer to the community.
Ke Ready, which works with the Gauteng Department of Health, assisted the community with health check-ups.
They engaged on issues affecting them like their grandchildren being impacted by drugs and unemployment. They also spoke about crime in the community.
Zelda Mokoena said she felt special because they had never had such an event to celebrate them as seniors before.
“Our children show us they need us because we teach them most things. We reprimand them, guide and raise them. It shows that we play a role in their lives,” said Mokoena.
She said the challenge they face as senior citizens today is that their children do not want to listen to them when they reprimand them.
“They are not like our generation. When you reprimand them, they want to know who you are. Their lives are so fast they do not think about their future. There is no future for our children.
“Another challenge is drugs. Our children have given themselves to drugs, and we did not have access to drugs when we were young. When they celebrate achievements, they overdrink alcohol.”
Sbongile Mabanga, the neighbour to the event organiser and founder of TNDIC, Nthabiseng Nwafor, said they were happy and wished the event was an annual affair.
“We thought we were being neglected because we are old. We are pleased that Nwafor did this for us, and it feels like Christmas came early,” said Mabanga.
She advised the youth to focus on their studies and respect older persons.
Nwafor said TNDIC wanted to appreciate the seniors because, as the younger generation, they are where they are because of them.
TNDIC is a NGO in Ext 2, Moleleki Section in Katlehong. Nwafor, a survivor of sexual abuse, established it last October.
