TSUMEB – The Councillor for the Tsumeb constituency, Lebbeus Tobias, has urged all Namibian youth to treat all elderly citizens with respect and dignity.
“I am a worried man because more and more instances of women and child abuse are arising in our country while instances of abuse of the elderly are happening twice as fast. This is one of the indications that treatment of the elderly needs to be of great concern to all of us,” said Tobias.
Youth should go slow on spending and instead spend twice on their elders before throwing their hard earned salaries and profits down the drain especially on the use of alcohol and tobacco, he added.
“We fight against aging but we do not want to be reminded of what time can do to us. Thus, the aged elderly person is cast from society. They are made to feel useless, a burden to the family, and often are cast off, avoided except on rare occasions of birthdays and Christmas,” he said.
He reminded the youth in Tsumeb not to forget where they come from and that aging is beautiful and demands respect and dignity.
The councillor also appealed to local businesses to donate towards the Tsumeb Senior Citizen’s Fund which is overseen by his office.
“The elderly have made their mark on life by building the great town of Tsumeb through sweat and dedication, bringing it to the deserving status it has acquired. They have performed well, and have confidence that their life was well spent in raising children, making Tsumeb a better place, and in training the next generation. They have a wealth of wisdom to share, experience to relate, expressions and advice on life to share. They await new experiences, and are getting prepared for the last experience of this life, and for a whole new world beyond death. They have earned our love and respect,” said the councillor.
Tobias encouraged writers and family members to capture the stories of the elderly to ensure that their life experiences are recorded for future generations.
“Should it not hold true that the older we become, the more we are to be appreciated by others. I am convinced that young people are missing one of the greatest opportunities available when they do not get to know the elderly and associate with them. All too soon these towering pillars of faith and wisdom will pass from our midst and the loss will be tremendous. Nature herself teaches us that age demands dignity and honour. The older the redwoods, the more majestic they become. The older wines and cheeses are, the more they are praised and honoured for taste,” he said.
Tobias said aging does not mean that someone who has become old is useless.
“I have been shamed by the failure of the young to use the talents of the elderly. I am inspired by their fighting spirit. In our efforts to destroy them we have tried to make them useless. They have fought back saying, ‘I exist. I have something to offer you if you will accept it.’ I have been amazed at the elderly people who have accepted challenges of work in our church and done fantastic work. Get to know your elderly in your neighbourhood or family. You might be surprised by their wit, humour, and their ability to guide you,” he said.
By Engel Nawatiseb