By Phetoho Maja
- On Thursday, older persons and people with disabilities gathered in Katlehong, Eastern Corridor, to celebrate Older Persons Month, observed annually in October.
- Dressed in traditional attire, they marked the occasion with singing and dancing, highlighting the importance of cultural heritage.
- The Katlehong Older Persons Choir, which will represent Gauteng at the National Golden Games and Choir Festival, emphasised the need for regular cultural celebration and encouraged seniors to pursue opportunities for personal development.
On Thursday, scores of older persons in Katlehong, Eastern Corridor, gathered to mark Older Persons Month, which is observed annually during October. Dressed in their traditional attire, older persons and people with disabilities used the day to celebrate their heritage through singing and dancing.
Throughout this month, the Gauteng Department of Social Development will celebrate older persons in an effort to restore their dignity and ensure that they continue to participate in society as citizens with full rights.
Speaking at the Katlehong Office, Ms Barbara Dhlamini, a member of the Katlehong Older Persons Choir, reiterated the importance of respecting culture, adding that its practices must be passed down to the younger generation. “Our heritage must be celebrated every day and not only during September. Part of us being here is to enforce the notion of celebrating our cultures regularly so that even the younger generation can learn,” said Dhlamini.
She added, “We are here also as older persons for self-fulfilment, as part of our rights to have access to educational, cultural, spiritual, and recreational resources of society.”
“So, we call on senior citizens to pursue opportunities for their full development. Those who want to join our choir are always welcome, as long as they are 60 years of age and older,” Dhlamini said.
The Katlehong Older Persons Choir will represent Gauteng Province during the National Golden Games and Choir Festival, taking place in the North-West Province from 28 October to 1 November 2024. These activities aim to embrace active ageing and create awareness of the abilities and capabilities of older persons in sport and recreational activities.