​The Gauteng Department of Social Development in the Ekurhuleni Region hosted a joint awareness event last Friday to highlight the abuse of Older Persons and People with Disabilities. The event took place at Siluma Old Age Home in Katlehong, in the Eastern Corridor.
Held under the theme "Aged and Disability Awareness Day: Happily Living Life," the gathering brought together over 100 attendees. Programme coordinator Lindiwe Radebe explained that the Department decided to bring together Older Persons and People with Disabilities because of their shared needs and vulnerabilities.
"We wanted to raise awareness about the abuse that these groups face in our communities," said Radebe. "As a Department, we are committed to promoting their well-being, safety, and rights."
Radebe noted that attendance was limited to 120 people due to space constraints and transport challenges, particularly for those using wheelchairs. "We hope to host a bigger event in the future, depending on the budget available," she added.
Sam Ntuli from the Department's Disability Directorate encouraged Older Persons and People with Disabilities to report abuse, whether from family or community members to Social Workers or the police.
"Some families still lock their Children with Disabilities in their homes and misuse their grants. That is child abuse, and it is a criminal offence," warned Ntuli. "Disability is not a choice, it can happen through an accident or life circumstances. Such individuals deserve love, dignity, and support."
Ntuli also condemned the use of derogatory language towards individuals with mental health conditions. "We often receive complaints about families calling their mentally ill children 'amahlanya', a term meaning 'mad people'. That is disrespectful, and we will not tolerate such behaviour," he said.
Sipho Madela, a visually impaired attendee from Mofokeng Section in Katlehong, commended the Department for taking services directly to the people. "Many of us struggle to travel into town due to lack of suitable transport. Today, services and information have come to us, and we are grateful," he said.
Madela also supported the idea of combining the groups for the event. "Both Older Persons and People with Disabilities suffer similar forms of abuse. Families often misuse our grants and neglect us, yet come pay day, they are quick to show up," he said.