Early Christmas for Old Naledi elders

MARANYANE NGWANAAMOTHO
Staff Writer | Thursday December 15, 2011 00:00

During a ceremony, which was characterised by happy traditional music, praise and worship songs and lots of dancing, old men and women took turns to receive their packages of food that included 2.5 kg sugar, one litre milk, 410g KOO beans, two litre cooking oil and 2kg rice.  There were 150 packages and more than 50 elders who had gathered at the Kgotla to receive a package.

Chairman of the Chinese foundation, Miles Nan said that during his 12 years of stay in Botswana he has come to appreciate elders as he has learnt and continue to learn a lot from them.'All of us has elders and we all know how important they are to us,' he said.

He added that a lot of companies in the country donate especially to women and children, which is good.  However, attention should also be given to elders.

'These (women and children) are very important people. But elders are even more important,' he said adding, 'we would all grow old and we surely will need someone to take care of us.'

He said that in China, they do not have Christmas, but they do celebrate New Year, where they gather with their elders and give them presents in appreciation.

Nan said that they as the Chinese in Botswana, are not only interested in getting more money for themselves, but in improvement of the welfare of Batswana.  'We care about Batswana.  I like Botswana.  I regard myself a Motswana and this country as my second home,' he said.

He noted that every year they choose a different location to give food hampers to elders but have this time around they have chosen Old Naledi, where they are based.  Last year they were in Letlhakeng while they were in Maun a year before then.

Also 'we have donated 120 houses to Batswana.  This is because we like them,' he continued. Chief of Old Naledi, Charles Kootsiwe, said that they are happy that this time around, elders would also have something to take home. He said that usually they are flooded with lots of donations specifically for children and none for elders.'Today we are here. We are happy that elders are receiving something for a change,' he noted.

He said that though the gifts may appear small, elders should be happy more so that there is a Setswana saying that goes 'sejo sennye ga se fete molomo.'

Meanwhile, chairman of Lekgotla la Bagodi, Boitumelo Madisekwane, has expressed their gratitude for the gifts they received.She further asked for an old age home where she said elders will be better taken care of at compared to at homes.

'Elders do not live well these days even if there is a maid in the hose,' she said adding, 'We miss our treatment. We do not eat on time and many other things.  So we need a place where we can rest and be taken care of properly.' Madisekwane said that it is sad that nobody talks about elders, while these are people who need the utmost attention in communities. She said that the home would not only be for Old Naledi elders, but for all grown people across the country. Currently they have 150 registered elders (60 years and above) in Old Naledi.