“We remember and celebrate the sterling contribution that the senior citizens, who are the mothers and fathers of our nation, have made and continue to make in our lives,” said the MEC for Finance, Mrs Happy Joyce Mashamba, during the senior citizen celebrations at the Makhado Show grounds on Saturday.

She said that elders possess a wealth of knowledge, experience and wisdom which they should share with the young generation. The elderly are the pillars of families and reservoirs of cultural values, which can help nurture the young people to become better persons.

She said it was a very serious challenge to our humanity if we could not take care of our parents and grandparents if, instead of caring for them, we treated them with indignity and brutality. This should stop and members of community have a role to play in this regard. The government will not be lenient towards anyone who ill-treats older people, she said.

Mashamba further said that the country should applaud the role that the senior citizens are playing in alleviating the suffering caused by Aids and their contribution to maintaining the family system, despite so many challenges.

The mayor of the local municipality, Cllr Rhulani Nkuzana, said that senior citizens deserved to be treated with respect, dignity and honour. “They brought freedom and democracy and, through many years of sweat, built our economy. We have to show great appreciation by giving the elderly people love, care and support at all times”.

The representative of the senior citizens, Mr Amie Chhaya, encouraged the youth to show dignity and respect to their grandparents and urged young people and community members to value and appreciate the good work which was done by the elderly.