Poniso Njeulu (r) and Belgravia Services Limited Site Manager Collins
Kipkorir (l) at the construction site of a modern fuel depot
inspecting the work progress in Mongu
VICE President Inonge Wina has described as a disgrace an increasing trend where elderly people are neglected in society and regarded as witches.
Ms Wina said it was sad that the old people were being accused of committing many crimes which they did not commit such as being a witch.
She urged elderly people not to feel neglected because the Patriotic Front (PF) Government was caring for them.
Ms Wina was speaking in Livingstone yesterday when she met and interacted with elderly people at Maramba Old People’s Home.
Maramba Old People’s Home has 45 old people out of which 14 are females and 31 are males.
“Your Government cares for you and we don’t have to see you suffer in the streets and this is why we are keeping you here.
“One of the concerns is that the old people are accused of committing many crimes which they did not commit such as being a witch. This is not true at all and it is a disgrace because we know that the people being accused are innocent,” Ms Wina said.
Ms Wina, who also donated some blankets to old people, said the Government was very determined to ensure that all its citizens were taken care of.
“This is why we have come up with the social transfer cash scheme to make sure the most vulnerable in society are considered in the Government programming.
“It is also not according to Zambian tradition to put your parents in an institution for elderly people as that shows neglect. The nucleus family has come to stay and it is something we have to accept, she said.
Ms Wina noted that husbands and wives were currently were focusing on looking after each other and had no time to care for the old people.
“That is the reality in society but there is still room for families to care for their elderly people who have done everything to provide for their children.
[pullquote]“One of the concerns is that the old people are accused of committing many crimes which they did not commit such as being a witch. This is not true at all and it is a disgrace because we know that the people being accused are innocent,” Ms Wina said.[/pullquote]
“At the end of the day, the elderly cannot look after themselves and it is up to families to really take care of them,” she said.
Southern Province Minister Nathaniel Mubukwanu directed his Permanent Secretary Sibanze Simuchoba to ensure that the Maramba Old People’s Home was budgeted for in next year’s budget.
“I am directing the Permanent Secretary for the province that as we plan for 2016 budget, we should consider allocating some amount towards Maramba Cultural Village even though it falls under a different Ministry,” he said.
Maramba Old People’s Home deputy officer in charge Kazembe Zyambo said the Home needed electric pots to effectively prepare meals for inmates.
“We have 15 very sick people and we have to bathe them and escort to various places to help themselves.
“We are asking for a van in terms of an ambulance to ferry people to the hospital as well as to integrate the old people in communities,” Mr Kazembe said.
Also neglecting PF’s owner Sata’s widows, and regarding her as a presidential challenger is a disgrace.
The culture of Massachusetts was to burn witches not so long ago – until some people there began to stand up and oppose the practice.
Who is VP Bo Wina to criticise our culture.
Such perceptions have existed for centuries. They did not go away, despite our several migrations across the Central African plateau, be it for food, better grazing or running away from hostile enemies. She needs to be educated in history!
Hope you will welcome being called a witch when your are of old age.
@Kaluba,
Please clarify. Are you really saying if I ever meet any of your grandparents I should stone them to death or burn them to death because according to historical perception, old people automatically morph into witches? And Govt should endorse this? Or are you just trying to stimulate debate but making a bad job of it?
An accurate measure of a community’s civilisation is determines by how it treats and cares for its elderly and venerable members. A community can be developed but still remain uncivilised.
Wina is right, we are born to die. We get old and its obvise we need care and respect regardless of culture. Thank you ba VP for speaking for the old.
Is witchcraft a crime in Zambia madam VP? Is it social transfer cash scheme or SOCIAL CASH TRANSFER SCHEME? Are you also getting old, only saved by being a politician; otherwise, you would have been a prospective inmate?
There a lot of old people who are no inmates. Families should care for their elderly. If you subject your old parents to home care just know that your children will do the same to you. Most times it is wives who do not want their aged in laws to stay with their sons and the result is destituteness on the part of the old father or mother. In town it is common to put up parents in the servants quarters instead of the main house.
Erh?.. LOL. Witchcraft is a social cash transfer scheme? Meaning a Witch will scare the crap out of a person and cause them to pay up? Or simply make money disappear from one place and reappear at another location? But why direct your question to VP instead of directing it to people who are stoning and burning suspected Witches?
In the D R C (up to 50,000 children have been accused of witchcraft and thrown out of their homes).vulnerable children mostly orphan’s are accused, often by members of their own family, of being witches… soon Zambians will be doing the same to their orphans…tsk ..tsk
I shudder to even imagine how vulnerable my dear elderly parents are in that country! Our faculties are so weak we fail to even realize some of our afflictions come of behaviours! @Ndanje Kahks I salute your considered comments!
Thanks a lot Mr Kalok. Have a blessed day
NOSTRA I thank you for your comment. Infact people know that if she stands as PF presidential candidate she will easily win so they want to frustrate her but they should not forget that she has qualities of a president and the husband was the owner of PF. So government must be careful the way they treat her. Dorah Siliya after insulting her husband to day should stand on Mr Sata s party, people are just watching, whether in the grave people respect him nipa bwato. wake up call