GAUTENG RAISES THE ALARM ON ELDER ABUSE DURING SEDIBENG AWARENESS CAMPAIGN

By Lawrence Mashabela

• The Department of Social Development in Gauteng has hosted an awareness campaign in Sebokeng designed to promote the rights, dignity, and well-being of the older members of the community.
• The event was held in the run-up to World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, which aims to break the silence surrounding elder abuse while equipping communities with preventative tools.
•  Elder abuse is a serious and increasing concern, often affecting the health, dignity, and human rights of older persons.

Hundreds of senior citizens from across Gauteng’s southern region came together during an older persons’ awareness campaign in Sebokeng, raising issues affecting the elderly, including abuse, which can be physical, emotional, financial, and psychological.

Hosted by the Gauteng Department of Social Development, the awareness session, held at JC Kotze Hall in Sebokeng on 1 June 2026, was part of ongoing efforts to promote the rights, dignity, and well-being of older persons and to strengthen community responses to elder abuse and neglect.

Senior citizens from various organisations attended the engagement, highlighting the need for sustained dialogue and intervention on issues affecting seniors.

According to social work policy developer Carrol Sello, the department’s primary objective is to raise awareness through community dialogues and mobilise collective action to address the abuse and neglect of older persons.

She said the engagement formed part of the build-up activities towards World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, held annually on 15 June, which aims to break the silence surrounding elder abuse while equipping communities with preventative tools.

“We brought together all relevant stakeholders to help us find solutions on how we can address issues of elderly abuse and neglect in our society,” said Sello.

Participants were encouraged to share experiences, raise concerns, and contribute to practical solutions that can strengthen protection systems for older persons.

Retired teacher and member of the Sedibeng Older Persons Forum, Thabiso Mosabala, welcomed the initiative, saying it plays an important role in educating older persons about their rights while also giving them a platform to be heard.

He said the engagement allows older persons – “the gogos and makhulus” – to share their lived experiences and contribute meaningfully to community discussions.

“We are grateful for these kinds of engagements about us as older persons. It shows that we are still valued and not forgotten. It gives us satisfaction that our contributions are still recognised in society,” said Mosabala.

The department noted that with a growing and ageing population, elder abuse remains a serious and increasing concern, often affecting the health, dignity, and human rights of older persons, and in some cases leading to severe harm or death.

The campaign continues to emphasise the importance of community involvement, awareness, and stronger protection mechanisms to ensure that older persons live safely and with dignity.