April 8, 2004
By Lebofsa Masha
THOUGH they came away with a more definite strategy of empowerment, the group of 103 pensioners who gathered at a workshop in the Witpoortjie Recreational Hall this week still have some harrowing issues of abuse to address.
Speaking to social workers running the workshop, some of the participants broke down as they told how their own children had taken away their pension money. The most intimidated could only whisper their grievances, and it was clear that many of these people were too scared to talk about their plight.
The workshop, organised by Region 5's social services department in response to media coverage on their plight, aimed to educate the elderly and disabled on how to defend themselves against abuse by knowing their rights.
In an effort to help the victims find a voice, keynote speaker, Doris Dlamini, a pensioner from Dobsonville, said: "The elderly should be transparent about their problems. They should not hide their fear of violence. Their quietness contributes negatively to their health, that is why most have high blood pressure."
During the day the pensioners were divided into different groups to discuss various issues such as setting up support and empowerment groups and breaking the silence on violence.
A member of the Community Policing Forum, who wanted to remain anonymous, told how she had been abused by her husband, who beat her until her eyes became swollen and she couldn't see. She did not report this to the police for fear that her husband would be arrested and lose his job. "I thought about my kids. If I laid a charge at the police station, they would starve if he was arrested," she said.
Another elderly woman broke down in tears as she described how her son had taken some of her belongings to sell for alcohol. "He sometimes demands money from my pension and beats me if I refuse," she said.
Another issue raised was that often pensioners were expected to care for their grandchildren. "My daughter came home with a child. She put her down and I thought she was going to the toilet and she left and never came back," said one woman.
By the end of the day, the pensioners had decided to form volunteer groups that would meet regularly to help each other solve problems. The first step is to start opening up and talk about problems to social workers and report cases to the police.
Dlamini described the workshop as an "eye opener". "But now we will know who to contact for help and be able to speak out," she said.
Social worker Azifarwi Phuravhathu said the social services department had realised that the elderly in the region were being neglected and had conducted research at different pension pay points in the region to see how many of them needed help. "They need a recreation hall from where they will be able to do something about their lives," Phuravhathu said.
Workshop coordinator Nomalanga Motloung said the department would consider the assistance they are giving the elderly as an ongoing process. "We will map a way forward and perhaps have another workshop before the end of June," she said.
For more information, contact Nomalanga Motloung on 011 761 0214 or 082 467 9538.
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