Africa-Press – Botswana. The Mayor of Francistown, Mr Godisang Radisigo, says the government is concerned about the welfare and condition of the elderly.
Mr Radisigo said this when officiating at the luncheon hosted by Losika Trust for the elderly in Area W in Francistown on Saturday.
It was to this end, he said, that the government had taken steps to care for the elderly through programmes and policies.
He said there was still more that could be done to complement the government’s interventions with a view to improve the living conditions of the senior citizens.
He cited the Old Age Pension for people aged 65 and above as one of the many interventions that were used to take care of senior citizens.
“The move was taken because government realised the contributions they had made towards the development of the country,” he said.
On other issues, Mr Radisigo said he was concerned about the use of drugs by young people. He explained that there was a new drug on the market namely CAT, which was taken by young people.
Mr Radisigo appealed to parents to help arrest the situation because CAT was a dangerous and highly addictive drug.
However, he commended Losika Trust for having seen it fit to organise a luncheon for the elderly of Francistown so that they could enjoy themselves.
A motivational speaker and life coach, Ms Blinkie Oteng, said caring for the elderly was not only a practical act of service but also a spiritual act of wisdom.
“Caring for the elderly is considered as a way of following the biblical command to honor mother and father. It is also seen as a way of imitating Christ who cared for and comforted the elderly during his earthly ministry,” she stated.
The founder of Losika Trust, Mr Pelotshweu Machibe, said the trust was established six years ago to take care of the less privileged members of the society.
Mr Machibe said the trust had donated food hampers and blankets to the elderly in the past.
“We have also donated full school uniforms to students at Masunga Primary School in Masunga, Bophirima Primary School as well as fruits and vegetables at Princess Marina Hospital in Gaborone,” he added. One of the elders, Ms Goitsemang Mothibi, of Area W said blessed was the hand that gives.
Ms Mothibi was worried that many children tend to neglect their elderly, an act she said was unbecoming.
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