31 Oct 2022

The Ministry Local Government and Rural Development is in the process of developing meaningful policies and guidelines to enhance a holistic response to challenges faced by the elderly.

Speaking at the commemoration of the International Day of the Elderly in Jwaneng recently, the ministry’s deputy permanent secretary, Ms Tebogo Bagopi said such policies and regulations were in recognition of older persons’ contributions to the larger society.

Ms Bagopi said the policies would complement existing ones as well as initiatives that benefitted the elderly such as the old age pension and the war veteran allowance.

“It is vital for government to develop laws, policies and programmes that secure the wellbeing and restore the dignity of all citizens, particularly vulnerable populations such as the elderly,” she said.

Ms Bagopi said such initiatives were critical at this stage particularly since the latest UN projections showed that by 2050, the number of persons aged 65 and above would increase significantly.

As a UN member state, Botswana needed to incorporate gender equality in all aspects of community life due to the fact that women outnumbered men at older ages, she said. Apart from the universal recognition of elders, Ms Bagopi said Botswana culture also held older persons in high esteem for their wisdom. 

“They have influenced us for who we are and who we aspire to be. Many families rely heavily on older relatives, from caring for grandchildren, to contributing much needed income to households. We also rely on their advice for strong marriage foundations,” she said.

In his welcome remarks, Kgosi Oageng Mosole of Jwaneng’s Raphalane Ward said the country needed guidance of the elders in order to advance.

“It is a good thing that government also recognises their value in society, hence a decision to celebrate them annually. Elders often complain about lack of social facilities for them where they can mingle and relieve stress, so it is important that such should be considered for them,” he said.Kgosi Mosole said the fact that Batswana had not yet embraced foster homes was indicative of strong households and that they preferred to care for their elders themselves.

The day was celebrated under the theme, Resilience of Older Persons in a Changing World. ends