Packed with elders, Sandlana Smit, MPL, opened the gathering in the House with a prayer and welcomed the elders. Smit said the reason for this gathering is to ensure elderly people are honoured, acknowledged, respected and protected.

All government departments have to facilitate elderly women. 

Smit further says everyone who is a grown-up today, playing an important role in society, is a product of an elderly woman, "myself included".

"Children lose their way as they grow up because they don't listen to their parents. We're also currently mourning the debacles of gender-based violence in South Africa."

Smit further says as adults you have to play a bigger role and work tirelessly to ensure the future of South African children are being protected and lifted up. "You have forgiven the regimes of apartheid, making sure we are progressing as a country."

Smit reverberated that the elderly must cease sitting in the house and become active. "When you feel old inside, evidently you will become the result of your thoughts."

"The elderly have a duty to pass stories to children, teach them respect and how to be responsible."

OFM News/Marvin Ntsane