by Ncaba Ntshakala
Over 250 elderly residents of Mhlangatane Inkhundla benefited from free medical services provided by The Luke Commission (TLC) during the recent Elderly Day celebration at Mpofu.
The outreach programme was comprehensive, offering vital healthcare services, including blood sugar testing, eye and cataract screenings, tuberculosis (TB) screening, and medication provision.
The event, which drew nearly 2,000 attendees, was organized to honour the elderly while ensuring access to essential medical care and support.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla commended TLC for its dedication to serving the vulnerable elderly population.
“The Luke Commission’s commitment to offering these services selflessly reflects the heart of compassion we must all strive for. We are grateful for your role in improving the well-being of our elderly,” she said.
The elderly also received food parcels, which were gifts from Their Majesties as tokens of appreciation for the elders’ contribution to society.
The Deputy Prime Minister’s Office used the event to inform the elderly about the various services available to them, such as elderly grants, accommodation at the Mankayane Home for the Elderly, and burial assistance through Sincephetelo Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund.
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Principal Social Welfare Officer Simanga Maseko emphasized the importance of promptly registering death certificates to halt grant payments upon an elder’s passing.
“Failure to do so constitutes a criminal offense and must be reported to the police. We already have several pending cases,” he warned.
The event also featured recreational activities, with the elderly eagerly participating in sports to showcase their vitality.
While TLC provided critical healthcare services, the Deputy Prime Minister took the opportunity to address critical social challenges, focusing on gender-based violence and substance abuse.
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Dladla made a passionate plea to men to stop the rape of women, including the elderly and young children which is a crime she said was on the rise in the country.
“We cannot allow these atrocities to continue. I appeal to every man to protect, not harm, the vulnerable among us,” she implored.
She also highlighted the destructive link between alcohol abuse and violence, urging moderation. “Even if you drink, never do so in front of children; show them respect.
Excessive drinking often leads to violence. In some communities, drinking starts early in the day. As a nation, we cannot progress if we remain intoxicated,” Dladla warned.
The Deputy Prime Minister further cautioned young women against accepting money from men as a form of courtship, pointing out that such relationships often end in violence.
“Money given at the start of a relationship should not be seen as love—it is a trap that can lead to dangerous outcomes,” she advised.
During the event, Elliot Mkhatswa, Chair of the Pensions Association, appealed to the Deputy Prime Minister to review the E500 monthly grant for the elderly, arguing that it no longer meets their needs, especially since many elderly individuals use the grant to support their grandchildren.
“This amount is insufficient. Many of us have to share it with our grandchildren, and it barely lasts,” he said.
is sentiments were echoed by 75-year-old Gogo Lomsombuluko Magagula, who expressed her struggle to make ends meet with the current grant.
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“The cost of food, especially mealie meal, has gone up, and the E500 is not enough,” she said.
Hhohho Regional Administrator Princess Tsandile also addressed the gathering, offering words of encouragement to the elderly.
Other speakers included representatives from the Royal Eswatini Police Service, the Sincephetelo MVA Fund, the Eswatini Communications Commission (ESCCOM), and Mhlangatane MP Madala Mhlanga.
As the event concluded, Dladla emphaiszed her commitment to the welfare of the elderly and called for a united effort to ensure that they live with dignity.
“The well-being of our elders reflects the values of our society. Let us continue working together to support and honor them,” she said.
