Senior citizens in Petrus Steyn received a helping hand when Free State MEC Elzabe Rockman visited the Nthabiseng Luncheon Club and Bahloki Old Age Home in Mamafubedu, engaging with elderly residents and responding to their needs.
The outreach programme aimed to strengthen support for senior citizens, address food security challenges and promote cooperation between government and municipalities in improving the well-being of older people.
During the visit, District Speaker Fume Phani thanked MEC Rockman for responding to her request, which she had made during a previous meeting in Reitz. Phani said she had appealed to the MEC to visit senior citizens in Petrus Steyn because she felt the town had been overlooked by government.
In her keynote address, Rockman thanked Phani for raising the concerns of the elderly and facilitating the visit. She acknowledged the gap between government and municipalities, emphasizing the importance of closer cooperation to ensure communities receive the support they need.
Rockman said senior citizens had played a critical role in building society and continued to guide younger generations through their wisdom and values.
“When such programmes take place, the first thing that comes to mind is food security, as senior citizens are the ones who look after households,” she said.
Members of the Nthabiseng Luncheon Club received food parcels, while groceries were donated to support the club’s activities. Rockman said the vegetables included in the outreach were sourced from local farmers to support agricultural producers and stimulate the local economy.
The club’s chairperson, Mr Majorie Tau, expressed gratitude for the visit and for the MEC’s willingness to listen to their challenges. He urged Rockman to extend similar support to other luncheon clubs, saying senior citizens needed continued assistance.
The MEC’s outreach continued at Bahloki Old Age Home, where she highlighted the importance of recognizing the distinct needs of residents living in care facilities.
Rockman said that while her work often involved luncheon clubs, visiting an old age home provided another opportunity to engage directly with senior citizens and understand their circumstances.
She stressed that the wisdom and experience of older people were essential to restoring order and strengthening values within communities.
Residents expressed their appreciation by presenting Rockman with canned peaches as a token of gratitude. The MEC, in turn, gave the senior citizens small gifts and pledged to listen to their concerns.
She said she was willing to work with the municipality to explore ways of addressing the residents’ needs and improving their living conditions.
The visit underscored the importance of sustained engagement with senior citizens, supporting community-based care initiatives and ensuring that older people are not left behind in local development efforts.
