The abandonment of African madalas and gogos at old-age homes was a reflection of moral decay in the country.
And attitudes of young people needed to change about their parents and grandparents in honour of late global icon Nelson Mandela.
This was said by ANC Eastern Cape provincial secretary Oscar Mabuyane, who contributed his 67 minutes of good deeds painting the Ethembeni Old-Age Home in Mdantsane.
According to Mabuyane, it was said that 10 of the elders at this home “have no families”.
This was evidence of the African child turning their backs on the very people who raised them once they have made it in life.
Said Mabuyane: “Why are we doing this (abandoning the elderly) as a people? Is it because of western influence because in our culture our parents invest in us so we can have a better life and ours is to take care of them when they are old, having nothing because of us.
“It is going to be important that as we remember Madiba that we go back to basics and do things right.
“I will never be proud as a child and grandchild to have my mother or grandmother placed in an old-age home while I am alive.
“That is anti who we are as a people.”
He added that this was a mirror of how irresponsible the people of this country have become that they would turn on their own families. Mandela would not approve, Mabuyane believes.
Mabuyane had visited the old-age home at the behest of Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) which working together with Old Mutual, donated blankets.
They also organised the painting for the facelift of the home for the elderly.
Popcru’s provincial secretary Zamikhaya Skade said the gesture was part of the union’s social responsibility project.
“Our relationship with this old-age home will not end today.
“They have informed us that they have got a site but for it to be ready for use it must be released to them by the municipality and we will work with them to see that happen and mobilise resources for the building of a modern proper facility,” said Skade. — zingisam@dispatch.co.za
Moral decay in care of SA’s elderly
And attitudes of young people needed to change about their parents and grandparents in honour of late global icon Nelson Mandela.
This was said by ANC Eastern Cape provincial secretary Oscar Mabuyane, who contributed his 67 minutes of good deeds painting the Ethembeni Old-Age Home in Mdantsane.
According to Mabuyane, it was said that 10 of the elders at this home “have no families”.
This was evidence of the African child turning their backs on the very people who raised them once they have made it in life.
Said Mabuyane: “Why are we doing this (abandoning the elderly) as a people? Is it because of western influence because in our culture our parents invest in us so we can have a better life and ours is to take care of them when they are old, having nothing because of us.
“It is going to be important that as we remember Madiba that we go back to basics and do things right.
“I will never be proud as a child and grandchild to have my mother or grandmother placed in an old-age home while I am alive.
“That is anti who we are as a people.”
He added that this was a mirror of how irresponsible the people of this country have become that they would turn on their own families. Mandela would not approve, Mabuyane believes.
Mabuyane had visited the old-age home at the behest of Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) which working together with Old Mutual, donated blankets.
They also organised the painting for the facelift of the home for the elderly.
Popcru’s provincial secretary Zamikhaya Skade said the gesture was part of the union’s social responsibility project.
“Our relationship with this old-age home will not end today.
“They have informed us that they have got a site but for it to be ready for use it must be released to them by the municipality and we will work with them to see that happen and mobilise resources for the building of a modern proper facility,” said Skade. — zingisam@dispatch.co.za
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