The Department of Social Development in Botha-Bothe will commemorate the International Day of Older Persons this Friday. According to the district’s Elderly Officer, Ms. Maneo Mositi, the event will take place at Ha Sechele and will include elderly participants from Likhutlong.

She further noted that the commemoration was delayed from its official date, October 1, due to the ongoing registration process for the elderly to receive their monthly social grants via mobile payments.Highlighting some challenges faced by older persons in the district, Ms. Mositi said many are burdened with caring for their grandchildren, often due to parental absence caused by migration to South Africa or abandonment.

She also mentioned issues such as illnesses, insufficient care, and inadequate financial support, with the social grant often falling short of covering medical and living expenses.Additionally, Ms. Mositi expressed concern about the stigma surrounding dementia, particularly for older women, who are sometimes accused of witchcraft due to their condition.