Advanced age is no guarantee against the pandemic, Council Speaker Conny Bapela told a gathering of elderly at a World Aids Day commemoration at the zoo.
THE elderly are at risk of infection by the Aids virus because they care for their HIV positive children and grandchildren. Therefore they need to know more about this epidemic.
Speaker Conny Bapela lights candle to observe World Aids daySpeaker Conny Bapela lights candle to observe World Aids dayThese were the words of the City's Speaker of Council Conny Bapela when she addressed about 100 elderly people from Region E at a World Aids Day commemoration at the Johannesburg Zoo. Among them was Bapela’s mother.
World Aids Day is commemorated annually on 1 December across the globe. On this day the world unites to support those living with the virus and those who died from it and fight against it.
At the event a candle was lit to remember the lives of those who have passed on after succumbing to the pandemic and those who are infected by the virus.
Lighting the candle, Bapela said she was specifically dedicating the candle to a certain 80-year-old woman who was raped by a boy whom she had helped to raise. She said the event was also intended to commemorate the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children, which runs from 25 November to 10 December.
A DVD highlighting various types of abuse women face and the stories of survivors of abuse was played for the gathering.
Bapela said elderly people are also subjects of abuse. Youngsters often leave the elderly unattended but on the day when they receive social grants or pensions, these same youngsters take money away from their grannies for personal use.
On a happier note, Bapela said the gathering had also been arranged to celebrate Christmas. True to her word, she gave each of the elderly ladies a 5kg bag of maize, a bag full of goodies and a blanket. After that they were given a tour of the zoo to see their favourite animals.
During lunch, Bapela had a kind word for all the grannies and grandpas.
"I would specifically like to thank my mother who supported me through all the hardships I have faced. She has always been there for me even when many abandoned me," she said.
Among those who attended the gathering was Selonyane Kgoseng from Klipfontein. “I don’t know what to say about this day, it has been a true outing and an educational gathering. May God bless Conny for the love she is showing the elderly,” said Kgoseng.
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