07 Jul 2025

In an effort to support the elderly in maintaining  their health, Unique Association for the Elders and Gakuto Village Development Committee (VDC) in collaboration with Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) church youth evangelism wing, hosted a wellness day session in Gakuto recently.

Sharing the objectives of the day, trainee pastor Mr Seth Letsatsi said the health expo was conducted by their southern division church youths, who were currently on their fourth and final tertiary studies in nursing, doctorate, pharmacy and medical laboratory from different institutions across the country.

“We concentrate on vitals, and also sensitise the public on food moderation through presentations on nutrition, and doing community service works by purchasing food hampers to the less privileged,” he said.

Delivering a message to the elders, SDA church elder, Mr Tlotlang Katholo said it was important for the elderly people to be taken care of during their old age. When quoting from the scriptures in the book of Exodus 15:26, he said God called on all people to adhere to his word and obey his command so that he may be able to heal them of all their diseases.

Mr Katholo said diseases such as sugar diabetes, cancer and high blood originated from the days of ancient Egypt and God promised that as long as they walked with Him he would heal all of their sicknesses. He said it was a  special day as they had selected Gakuto for their community service engagement where the elders would be given an opportunity to be examined on their health conditions and advice given for them to keep healthy.

Giving an overview of the association, the VDC chairperson and founder of Unique Association For The Elders, Ms Maggie Mathumo said their group was made of about 200 elders adding that every month-end about 70 of the senior citizens were served with tea by their main patron SPAR while waiting to collect old age pension allowances.

“This is our way of celebrating the contributions of senior citizens. I also made sure all our elders had a funeral policy with Kgare Insurance Brokers," she said.

Kweneng Spar in Mogoditshane produce supervisor, Mr Onkemetse Kolaagano said as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility they had been sharing a variety of bread and tea  with the elders of Gakuto since 2017.

“We also provide them with soup kitchen, that is samp and meat for lunch every month end,” he said.

The area councillor, Mr Tebogo Lenao said the initiative brought the community together and applauded the organisers for their effort in caring for the elderly people. Meanwhile, Mr Lenao highlighted that the recreation centre project in the area did not have a title deed saying this contributed to the delay of electricity connection. He however noted that the centre could be useful and beneficial to the community. He promised to address the issues of community projects through the CCP. ENDS