Happy Elderly Day!
Representing the Premier, MEC for Social Development in the province, Ms Florence Radzilani spent her Wednesday, the 01st of October 2025 with the elderly at Namakgale, Phalaborwa for the International Day of Older Persons.
Foskor Community Centre was buzzing with excitement as senior citizens from the area welcomed the celebration held under the banner, “Older Persons Driving Local & Global Action: Our Aspirations, Our Well-being, Our Rights,” a theme that seeks to celebrate the life, influence, and wisdom of elderly people in communities and province.
About the day:
• In 1990, the United Nations General Assembly declared 01 October as a day to celebrate senior citizens.
• Now, it has become an annual initiative that celebrates the contributions made by older persons that ultimately shape communities.
• It is also a day to highlight challenges faced by senior citizens and bring to light their rights and opportunities.
• The day is a platform to create awareness of cultivating societies that will promote active ageism and overall, instill respect for the elderly in people.
Moreover, a representative from the Limpopo Persons Forum, Ms Gloria Makhubela came with a suitcase to unpack all that is experienced by senior citizens in the province. Firstly, she is pleading with people, especially the youth, to respect the elderly. Secondly, she emphasised that older persons have the right to live and the right to dignity.
Therefore, she pleads with the provincial government to tirelessly combat the abuse inflicted on senior citizens and take more strides in protecting them. Lastly, she encourages her peers to not shy away from participating in community building activities for inclusion and healthy living. On the same breath, MEC Radzilani delivered a keynote address, echoing the same sentiments and said, “Old people are not a burden, they are living libraries of wisdom who deserve to live with dignity and honour.”
She therefore implored collaborative effort from all parts of society to create a caring environment for the elderly. Wisdom belongs to the aged and understanding to the old. Thus, everyone plays a part in preserving these fountains of wisdom (older persons) by respecting, cherishing, and protecting them while time still permits.
“Never speak harshly to an older man, but appeal to him respectfully as you would your own father. Treat older women as you would your mother.”
The day ended with a sweet performance by Dr Winnie Mashaba where our grandparents proved that age is nothing but a number as they danced like there is no tomorrow. PM