Honouring our elders, the pillars of our community

Behind every wrinkle is a story. Behind every soft-spoken voice is a life lived in full colour, a childhood of dreams, long days of hard work, and a heart that has loved, nurtured, and given more than most of us will ever know.

Our senior citizens were once the youngsters of Barberton, running barefoot through the streets, dreaming of becoming teachers, miners, nurses, or business owners. They are the men and women who spent their best years raising families, making ends meet, and supporting their children on sports fields, in classrooms, and at cultural events. They are the volunteers who organized fêtes and fundraisers, the workers who kept businesses running, the leaders who guided communities, and the quiet heroes who made sure no neighbour went hungry.

Many of them made remarkable contributions, like building companies, teaching generations of learners, serving in churches, clinics, and charities. Whether their efforts were public or unseen, they shaped the Barberton we know today.

Yet, far too often, the people who once carried the weight of entire households find themselves set aside in their twilight years. Some are placed in retirement centers, their families far away, their voices softened by time and age, and, heartbreakingly, sometimes even forgotten.

It doesn’t have to be that way. Our elders deserve more than a bed and a meal. They deserve to be honoured, remembered, and cherished as living archives of wisdom, courage, and love.

This is why it is heartwarming to see young people leading the way. Barberton Nursery School has launched a special outreach to show love to the residents of the BOBS retirement center and they are inviting the whole community to help. By donating toiletries, like shampoo, soap, razors, toothpaste, lotion etc. or small items such as magazines or books, or just a special treat, you can remind our seniors that they are valued and never forgotten. The school would like to make up gift packs for 30 men and 50 women.

If you feel you would like to join this initiative and make a positive contribution in our community you can drop off your donations at Barberton Nursery School, 17 Walkerwood Street. For more information or to get involved, send them an email.

Let’s come together as a town to give back to those who once gave us everything. Together, we can make a lasting impact.

• 𝙵𝚘𝚛 𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚢 𝚜𝚞𝚋𝚖𝚒𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚜 𝚘𝚛 𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠𝚜, 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚝𝚊𝚌t Lynette 𝚟𝚒𝚊 𝚎𝚖𝚊𝚒𝚕 (editor@dekaapecho.co.za).
• 𝙵𝚘𝚛 𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚗𝚎𝚛𝚜𝚑𝚒𝚙𝚜, 𝚖𝚊𝚛𝚔𝚎𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐, 𝚘𝚛 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚗𝚝 𝚎𝚗𝚚𝚞𝚒𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚜, 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚝𝚊𝚌𝚝 𝙰𝚗𝚌𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝚟𝚒𝚊 𝚎𝚖𝚊𝚒𝚕 (𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚑𝚎𝚗@𝚒𝚘𝚕𝚘𝚐𝚞𝚎𝚖𝚎𝚍𝚒𝚊.𝚌𝚘𝚖) 𝚘𝚛 𝚜𝚎𝚗𝚍 𝚊 𝚆𝚑𝚊𝚝𝚜𝙰𝚙𝚙 𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎.