09 Nov 2015

The government is committed to elderly people’s welfare, Assistant Minister of Local Government Botlogile Tshireletso has said.

Speaking at the International Day of Elderly People commemoration held in Maun over the weekend , Ms Tshireletso therefore said plans were at an advance stage to allow old age hospices in Botswana.

She said the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development was mapping the policy and guidelines that will allow old people who do not have immediate family members to be taken care of by volunteers at such homes.

She observed that some elderly people were leaving in bad conditions with no one to look after them.

As such Ms Tshireletso said old age hospices were significant places which took care of the elderly as evidenced by South Africa and first world countries where the elderly were taken good care of in the hospices.

Furthermore, Ms Tshireletso said the government of Botswana has made positive strides to assist old people who are less privileged.

She said the government ensured the old people are built better accommodation and provided with food baskets.

Ms Tshireletso also said government offices have been made conducive to assist old people within a short period of time.

Meanwhile, Ms Tshireletso said the International Day of Elderly People was meant to recognize old people, to appreciate their contribution to nation building and to reflect on how to move forward on issues affecting them.

She observed that old people did a mammoth tasks such as caring for orphaned grandchildren and ploughing tilling the soil to feed their families.

Ms Tshireletso urged young people to respect and to adopt good knowledge from old people on traditional practices and matters such as nursing new born babies.

The Assistant Minister also said old people should be loved and appreciated for their contribution in the nation.

An elder, Ms Motlagomang Maochadza expressed her gratitude on government efforts aimed to assist old people such as pension for all and welfare to the less privileged.

However, Ms Moaochadza said it was disheartening that some children mistreated their parents, she said some old people did not benefit from their pension while some are never given baths.

She pointed that old people experienced boredom therefore deserved a place where they can meet with their mates and share experiences and challenges.

In his welcome remarks, Kgosi Bringle Dithapo said it was worth celebrating old people since they worked for the development and amenities in the country. Ends