​Last Friday, hundreds of elderly people marched on the streets of Bophelong in Sedibeng, to highlight the scourge of elderly abuse, neglect and to defend their rights.
The march was organized by the Gauteng Department of Social Development, Sedibeng Region as a build up activity to World Elder Abuse Day  in June.

The aim of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is to make communities understand and report abuse and neglect of older people.

72-years-old Abram Khumalo, a member of Bophelong Older Persons Day Care Centre member said the march was aimed at sending a message to the community that elderly people deserve to be loved and protected, and that they are tired of being abused.

“We are tired of being harassed and bullied, and I urge every elderly person like me who might be experiencing abuse to speak up, we deserve to be respected, treated with dignity and be safe where we live”, said Khumalo.
“We should not hide it because it is our children and grandchildren who abuse us, they demand money for drugs and alcohol. Therefore, such campaigns highlight our plight”

“We must be prepared to be advocates for older persons’ right for the abuse to stop”, Khumalo said.

A representative of the Gauteng Age-in-Action, Sibongile Mjangqeka, said elder abuse was emerging as an important issue within the elderly community.

Mjangqeka added that the elderly are often the most forgotten and neglected members of society facing physical, psychological and even financial abuse. Therefore, it is essential to refocus people’s attention to the needs of the elderly because the welfare and protection of every vulnerable person is a shared responsibility.

“All of us have a part to play in protecting the rights and dignity of our elderly citizens. I wish to call on everyone to help us fight the abuse and neglect of older persons 365 days of the year.
According to the Region’s Social Work Manager, Michael Marubini, the department wants to give a platform to senior citizens for their voices to be heard.

“Senior citizens add value to our communities, they also take care of the vulnerable including orphaned children, they also provide support to unemployed dependents in their families” said Marubini.