RESTORING DIGNITY | SOUTH AFRICA MARKS WORLD ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS DAY

By Cuma Pantshwa.

• Elder abuse in South Africa remains deeply underreported and requires intensified community and governmental response.
• Rising Vulnerability in Aging Communities: In Fort Beaufort alone, over 15% of residents are 65 or older, facing increasing risks of abuse and neglect.
• Minister Tolashe reaffirmed efforts to investigate crimes against elders and strengthen protective services in collaboration with SAPS and community partners.

The Department of Social Development joined the global community in observing World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) under the theme: “Protecting the Rights and Dignity of Older Persons.”
Held at the historic Healdtown High School, the commemoration brought together government officials, traditional leaders, faith-based organisations, civil society, and community members to raise awareness and forge collective action against the growing scourge of elder abuse. Founded in 1848 during the land dispossession wars, Healdtown has long stood as a beacon of progress and unity. Its legacy includes nurturing iconic African leaders such as Nelson Mandela, Govan Mbeki, Dr Mangosuthu Buthelezi, Robert Mugabe, and Dr Zola Skweyiya. On this day, it served a new mission: safeguarding those who paved the way.
The Eastern Cape continues to reel from the trauma of recent floods in Mthatha and nearby areas, which claimed 86 lives, destroyed homes, and displaced thousands. As physical rebuilding begins, attention is also turning to the often-invisible suffering — particularly among the elderly, who are disproportionately affected by trauma, neglect, and isolation.
Inside the Healdtown hall, solemnity met celebration. More than 300 older persons, mostly women dressed in vibrant Xhosa attire, gathered in a spirit of resilience. Gospel music filled the air, coffee warmed hands, and joyful conversation momentarily eclipsed the sobering truth: elder abuse remains one of South Africa’s most urgent yet underreported social challenges.
In nearby Fort Beaufort, within the Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality — a community of over 169,000 residents — the 2023 census reveals a steadily aging population, with 15.6% over the age of 65. Many of these elders face physical abuse, emotional neglect, and financial exploitation, often inflicted by close family members.
One elderly woman’s heartfelt plea reflected a broader sentiment:
“We should not live in fear, my child. There is a lot troubling us. We need help. The youth here are not working and are struggling with substance abuse and addiction.”
The Department of Social Development, guided by Chapter 3 of the Older Persons Act No. 13 of 2006, is mandated to protect the well-being of older persons through Community-Based Care Services. These services promote safety, rights, dignity, and active aging in local communities.
Minister of Social Development, Ms Nokuzola Sisisi Tolashe, affirmed government’s resolve:
“Older people are the custodians of this country. We thought it was important to come closer to Raymond Mhlaba and work hand-in-hand with SAPS and the community — to intensify our efforts in investigating murder cases and addressing the abuse of the elderly. We want them to know: their government is doing something to protect them.”
As the Minister, MEC Bukiwe Fanta, traditional authorities, and municipal leaders prepared to engage the community, the call for healing and protection rang loud.
In a country where elders carry the memory of struggle, survival, and sacrifice, this commemoration was more than symbolic — it was a renewed commitment to say: no more abuse, no more silence. Let us restore dignity, security, and respect to those who came before us.