TEACHING RESPECT FOR ELDERS STATS IN THE CREDLE: ETHEKWINI SOUTH MARKS WORLD ELDERY AWARENESS DAY

By: Nomthy Ndlovu

• Older persons called for respect, dignity and elder rights to be taught from an early age through the education system.
• Stakeholders highlighted the importance of preventing elder abuse through awareness, education and community support.
• The commemoration reinforced the message that protecting older persons is a shared responsibility across families, schools and communities.

WENTWORTH- In a vibrant display of community solidarity, the Department of Social Development (Ethekwini South) joined forces with local stakeholders to commemorate World Elderly abuse Awareness Day at the John Dunn House Day Care Center in Wentworth. The programme, hosted partnership with the Centre, SAPS, ADASA, the Wentworth Trauma Unit, and Age Action, carried a powerful and urgent massage: “respect for the elderly must be taught from early childhood”.

While the day was filled with activities celebrating older persons, the central theme echoed by attendees was the critical need to embed elderly rights into the country’s education curriculum. Elderly resident at the gathering made a passionate plea for issues of elder abuse to be introduced as the Early Childhood Development (ECD) phase.

A key message that emerged from the discussions was the need to instil respect for older persons from an early age. Older persons attending the programme made a passionate appeal for issues relating to elder rights, dignity and protection to be incorporated into learning during the Early Childhood Development (ECD) phase.

“Children need to know from a young age how to treat us,” suggested one elderly participant during the discussions. “If they learn respect and kindness in their first years of school, it becomes a part of who they are. That is how we stop the abuse from happening in the future.”

Participants emphasised that teaching children the values of empathy, respect and care can help create communities where older persons are valued and protected. They argued that introducing age-sensitive human rights education at an early stage would contribute to building stronger relationships between generations and reducing incidents of abuse.

MS Thandazile Zulu from the Department of Social Development reiterated their commitment to pushing for policy changes that reflect the elders` request.” The curriculum must evolve to include human rights for all ages. When children and youth understand that grandparents deserve dignity, we build a safer community for everyone, “said Zulu

As the programme drew to a close, older persons shared a powerful message that captured the spirit of the day: “Do not merely feel sorry for us; teach children to love, respect and value us. That is how we ensure that people age with dignity.”
The gathering served as a reminder that preventing elder abuse requires collective action and that fostering respect for older persons from an early age remains one of the most effective ways to build safer, more caring communities.