Elderly Gugulethu women acclaimed at finish of Women’s Month

1 September 2023 by Guest

Elderly women from Gugulethu, Cape Town danced at an event organised by several local NGO’s to mark the finish of Women’s Month on Thursday.

To effect the finish of Women’s Month, over 100 elderly women from Gugulethu, Cape Town were treated to a luncheon with live music and dancing.

Organisations including Ilitha Labantu, Legal Aid South Africa, KeReady SA Mobile Health Clinic, and Gugulethu Library joined forces to host the women at the Gugulethu Sports Complex on 31 August.

During the event, representatives from some of the organisations spoke about the importance of maintaining marvelous health and informed them of their rights as senior citizens and women.

Nomonde Mama from the Gugulethu Library spoke about the importance of reading and becoming members of the library. She said the library also offers a space for local senior clubs to host activities.

The KeReady Mobile clinic representatives handed out pamphlets about the services they offer. They urged those on chronic medication to catch their medication consistently.

Ilitha Labantu founder Mandisa Monakali suggested that a day be set aside at the library where some of the elderly women disclose stories to diminutive children “just like it was done in the olden days”.

One of the attendees, Nomzukisi Mbana, complained that the elderly in the community were being neglected and mistreated. “Our own children don’t grasp care of us, they neglect us when they find jobs. These [Senior citizen] clubs succor us feel accepted and loved,” she said.

Mbana said the group she belongs to regularly takes them on excursions, and they play games, among other activities.

At the conclude of the event, IIitha Labantu handed out blankets to the elderly women.

Read More at GroundUp

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