PRETORIA (The Pretoria News), December 10, 2007:Alfred is 106... and still partying
By Xolani Mbanjwa
Senior citizens of Pretoria were treated like royalty at the weekend when the Yvonne Anker Foundation threw a glittering year-end "Old Age" party for them at the Sheraton Hotel.
The eldest of them all - 106-year-old Alfred Congo - could hardly walk, but as soon as the Soweto String Quartet played the famous Mbube (also known as The Lion Sleeps Tonight), he danced like one who was alone in a jungle with the lion.
However, despite many of the elderly showing youthful exuberance as they began to jive and bob, physical reality soon kicked in and none of the senior citizens were on their feet as the song came to an end.
Senior citizens were often neglected during the festive season and the party provided a perfect opportunity to acknowledge the elders, said deputy Speaker of parliament Gwen Mahlangu, who was at the party.
'We want to say that we are prepared to dirty our hands to heal our country'
Mahlangu said senior citizens had been through the difficult times in South Africa's history and needed looking after, as they had also seen how the country had changed for the better.
"At this gathering of the not-so-young people we want to thank you all. We thank you because tomorrow it (old age) comes upon us.
"We want to say that we are prepared to dirty our hands to heal our country.
"We pledge to you that we will help you, and if we don't we will forever have difficult times in our country," said Mahlangu.
She said protection of everyone's rights, including that of senior citizens, was important.
"We can't put a policeman in every house, but we will fight to protect you and every citizen. We want to see women and the elderly going shopping at night without looking behind them.
"If we want to restore humanity we should ask ourselves how much of the rot that is happening in our country is a result of neglect."
She said senior citizens had been a voice of strength to the new dispensation.
"I declare that you've seen it all - a South Africa in flames and a South Africa in peace.
"But we need to bring that peace into our homes."
The organiser of the event, Yvonne Anker, said: "The knowledge senior citizens have gained through life's experiences can be a source of inspiration for others to take part in social development.
"Senior citizens, with the sun in your hair and heaven on your minds, we want to thank you for making us who we are."
The elderly dined before the foundation handed out gifts to them.
© 2007 Pretoria News & Independent Online (Pty) Ltd.
