ZOMBODZE EMUVA – Government has renewed its commitment to strengthening healthcare services, expanding social protection, and ensuring that elderly citizens are not left behind in national development.
The pledge was made by Principal Secretary in the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office, Siboniso Nkambule, who represented Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla during the commemoration of the International Day of Older Persons held at Zombodze Emuva on Friday.
Speaking at the event, Nkambule said the day was not only a celebration but also a recognition of the wisdom, resilience, and enduring contributions of older persons to Eswatini’s communities. This year’s commemoration was held under the theme “Older Persons Driving Local and Global Action: Our Well-being and Our Rights.”
Nkambule noted that older people continue to play a vital role in community leadership and national advocacy, shaping the country with courage and compassion. He reiterated that the well-being of senior citizens is a right and urged the public to create environments where they can live with dignity and purpose.
He also raised concern about the growing issue of neglect and abandonment of elderly people, often by their own families. “It is a moral and social duty for every child to care for their parents,” he said, calling on emaSwati to visit and support elderly relatives, many of whom are left caring for grandchildren.
Other speakers at the event included Pensioners Association representative Elliot Mkhatshwa, elderly representative Hezekiah Sibandze, and officials from MTN, ESCCOM, the Ministry of Health, the Royal Eswatini Police Service, and the Regional Administrator’s Office.
The commemoration concluded with donations of 100 food parcels from the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office and additional food and clothing items from the area’s Member of Parliament.
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