While many South African citizens joined the marches in the Johannesburg Central Business District (CBD) on #FreedomFriday, there were quite a few local gatherings with a difference.
Residents from the Sterlig Retirement Village in Wilro Park also wanted to add their voice and support to the campaign and decided to have a gathering of their own. Avril Rush, who helped with the arrangements said, “We all congregated on Friday, 7 April at about 10am at the lapa in the village. We decided to keep our gathering inside the village to ensure the safety of our older and disabled residents,” she said.
She added that one of their biggest concerns was the fact that the cost of living will just continue to rise until something changes. “Our pension and provident funds are all listed on the Stock Exchange, meaning that, if the markets fall, so do our investments. With us not being part of the workforce anymore, how are we supposed to make these losses up?” a very concerned Avril asked.
The Waterval Retirement Village in Florida Glen also had its own protest action and gathered next to the road early on Friday morning. “The residents had their posters and placards ready, and showed their support by ‘protesting’ in front of the village, on the corner of Hendrik Potgieter Road and Third Street from 7am to 8am,” said Esmé Nel, the administrative assistant.
The groups were in agreement about why they wanted to show their support. “Even though we are senior citizens, we also want to have our voices heard. We want positive change and an honest government with honourable ethics for all South Africans, not just ourselves,” Avril concluded.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to let your voice be heard!
