Ululation and traditional songs reverberated through the Thusong hall in Khayelitsha when Ikamva Labantu held a senior citizens’ day on Friday October 19.
The event provided a much-needed opportunity for the seniors to unwind and forget their daily challenges.
But most importantly, the organisers wanted to bring the message across that they were loved and appreciated.
Lulama Sigasana, who manages Ikamva Labantu’s programmes for senior citizens, said this was an annual event and they had transported senior citizens from different townships.
She said they had been running this programme for years now and wanted to show them that they still cared about them.
She said senior citizen often found themselves alone-and lonely-during their twilight years. She said some of these senior citizens were bread winners of their households while others had had to care for their grandchildren.
She appealed to the community at large to play an active role in protecting seniors and ensuring that they feel safe and loved.
“We want to make them feel loved. We are here to simply say thank you for being our protective shields over the years. It is now up to us to protect them.
“We also want them to pass the extensive knowledge they have about life to us and the next generation.
“Our main aim is to put smiles on their faces even if it’s once a year,” she said.
One of the senior citizens, Boniswa Nohentshana, said she was excited to be part of this event and had enjoyed herself.
She said the harsh reality was that many of her peers were abused by the very same children and grandchildren they raised.
She said as senior citizens, they faced many challenges and often put the happiness of their families first and neglected themselves..
But she said this event encouraged them to forget their problems for a while.
“I feel happy. I danced and sang and I felt like a young girl. I forgot about my problems and just enjoyed myself with my friends and peers. We want our children to take good care us because we no longer have the strength to do that,” she said.
Another senior citizen, Nosakhe Khosana, heaped praises on the organisers, describing the event as therapy for the body and soul. She said she had danced as if she were still young.