02 Apr 2025

The nation has been called on to protect, respect and appreciate the elderly.

The call was made by Bame ba rona Sechabeng Foundation founder, Dr Direpang Segosebe during a Senior Citizen Wellness event in Gaborone yesterday. Dr Segosebe, whose work has been central to improving the lives of vulnerable populations, said there was a need to prioritise the elders dignity, rights and well-being.

“Too often, the elderly are neglected, ignored, or treated as if they no longer matter. This must change. Our elders are not just a part of our past, they are the very foundation upon, which our society is built, they deserve respect, care, and the recognition they have earned over the years,” she said.

She also said respecting the elderly was not about providing care only, but involving them in decisions, listening to their stories and acknowledging their wisdom. 

“Respecting our elders’ means treating them as valued members of society. This includes simple acts, such as greeting them, assisting them when needed and ensuring that their age is never a barrier to participation in society,” Dr Segosebe said.

She said the elderly faced isolation and inadequate healthcare services. As such, she called for increased funding for healthcare services tailored to aging populations and the creation of more community programmes to combat isolation. She said there was a need for a space where the elderly citizens could meet and interact, share experiences and provide mutual support.

“There is a significant gap in spaces where the elderly can come together, hence I organised an event on their payday at the post office, so government, civil society and families must all come together to create an environment where our elderly citizens can thrive,” Dr Segosebe said.

Gaborone South MP, Mr Nelson Ramaotwana said respecting the elderly was a moral imperative, a measure of the kind of society Botswana aspired to be. He further commended Dr Segosebe for bringing essential services to the elderly adding that government was supportive of such initiatives.

He applauded her call for action and recognising urgency of ensuring that the aging population received care, respect and dignity they deserved, including the elderly citizens receiving free eye checks and reading glasses, as well as health screening services in partnerships with Dignofirm and Rebaone Renal Nursing Clinic while awaiting their monthly stipends.

“The urgency of ensuring that Botswana’s aging population receives care, respect, and dignity they deserve cannot be overstated,” Mr Ramaotwana said and reaffirmed government’s support for initiatives that prioritised the welfare of the elderly. ENDS