A forum to address concerns of the elderly

THULAMELA – Chairperson of the Thulamela Senior Citizens Forum, Ntevheleni Thovhogi, touched on various issues such as water shortages and the torching of schools when more than 140 elderly residents of the Thulamela Local Municipality recently gathered in the Auditorium Hall of the Thulamela Library in Thohoyandou to elect new members of the committee during the first term of the new municipal council.

He urged the public to protect government buildings and refrain from vandalising property. “Schools, libraries and government office buildings must be protected at all cost as they belong to the government and will be used by future generations. As elderly people, we are worried about the large number of schools burnt during protests, especially in the Vuwani area, and we want such actions to stop,” Thovhogi said.

Thovhogi said one of the biggest concerns for elderly residents is that not everyone in the community has access to water.

“We want decent shelter for some of our elderly residents in need because they are the caregivers for their grandchildren. We also expect a good working relationship with the new council, including the mayor, we want to be assured our voices will be heard,” Thovhogi added.

He said the newly appointed committee will organise various sporting codes for the elderly to take part in activities such as fun walks and playing magogo and old madala soccer to encourage a healthy lifestyle.

Thulamela Local Municipality Coordinator for Special Programmes of the Senior Citizens Desk, Shibombi Mkhari, said the role of the forum is to monitor all services rendered by the municipality, including concerns raised by the elderly.

thoko@nmgroup.co.za