By Kopano Dibakwane
The role of elderly citizens in society is often downplayed until they are no more, but Mpumalanga MEC for Health, Sasekani Manzini, believes that these important members of our communities deserve all the love, care and respect while they are still alive.
Manzini and other officials from the department visited Victor Khanye Local Municipality to spend 67 minutes with the elderly. The 67 minutes form part of Mandela Day, which is celebrated across the country in dedication to the memory of the late South Africa’s first democratically elected president, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, affectionately known to many as Madiba.
She said that the department has more than 100 similar activities taking place in the province, whereby officials from different hospitals and clinics have taken the initiative to contribute towards the 67 minutes by doing something memorable for their respective communities.
“ This day brings us together, it also reminds us that there’s something good that you can give to other people, as much as we have challenges. What is good about the 67 minutes is that you don’t have to buy, you can do something with your hands. It’s not about money, hence we appreciate that we are working together with different organisations,” said Manzini.
She said that the day is important because it brings back the love and Ubuntu amongst the people in various communities. Other activities on the day includes the painting of Bernice Samuel Hospital, in which the MEC actively participated.
