The Future of South Africa - The Young or the Old?

Often lauded as the future of this country and indeed most others, the youth have been etched into our minds as our saviours and leaders in our dotage. But why is there so little emphasis on those who brought the youth into our world? There is no doubting this inevitability, but surely, as it is an indisputable fact that this social positioning of the youth has led to what can only be described as a dereliction of duty to the very people who have nurtured them.

Another inevitability is the process of growing old - deny it or ignore it, the majority of us will reach it. It is a fact that the most common cause of death in South Africa is as a result of old age. Not HIV/AIDS, not tuberculosis, not cancer or murder. Wearing a condom will not prevent it, it is not communicable, yet as a society we choose to sideline our senior citizens. Today's youth are tomorrow's elderly. Surely they deserve recognition?

Age-in-Action is an umbrella organisation for some 950 institutions, clubs and NGOs whose sole focus is the betterment of life for the aging populace in South Africa, especially within rural and deep rural areas. Celebrating its 50th year this year, Age-in-Action continues its work despite decreasing subsidies from government and donations from the general public. In order to continue its operations, Age-in-Action is heavily reliant on the good will of the general public, be it in donations of money, time, products or services.

A new and growing phenomenon that Age-in-Action has to manage is the fast-increasing number of grandparent-headed households due to the proliferation of HIV/AIDS.

"The HIV/AIDS pandemic is creating more problems for our senior citizens. They have to become parents again to their orphaned grandchildren. This is really tough for them because despite failing physical health and meagre resources, they actually have no choice but to care for them. Coping with the generation gap is also a challenge. Age-in-Action is now establishing inter-generational programmes that give support to both the elderly and the orphans. However, because of a lack of funds, we are only scratching the surface," says Martha Mokholo, CEO of Age-in-Action.

Susan Gumede, 60, cares for five orphans aged 15, 11, 9, 8 and 7, the children of her two daughters, who both died of AIDS. They live in Umgababa in KwaZulu-Natal. She is caring for these children because they are the children of her unmarried daughters and there is no one else to look after them. She receives a foster grant for three of the children but struggles on a daily basis to feed and clothe them. Susan Gumede is but one of many of her generation who find themselves in situations similar to this. It is only through South Africans reaching into their pockets that the ?“Susans?” of South Africa can be assisted.

According to Statistics SA, 7.7% of the South African population are 60 years old or older, which equates to more than 3.7 million people. Even more startling is the fact that 2.2 million people aged 60 and over are heads of household.

Why is there not more being done for this critical backbone of our society? Are we too quick to forget that it is this very generation that has produced many of our great post-apartheid leaders? By supporting our senior citizens today, we are ensuring a better and longer life for our youth and ourselves. Getting old is the future for all of us.

About Age-in-Action: Age-in-Action has, over the past 50 years, become a respected champion for South Africa's older persons, a household name that symbolises tangible hope, opportunity and support to older persons. Its programmes are trademarked as practical and sustainable.

Forthcoming events:

• 25 September to 1 October: Week of Older Persons
• 01 October: International Day of Older Persons
• 01 October: Grandparents Day


Various activities are taking place during these days; call 021 426 4249 for further information.

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