The City of Windhoek (CoW) on Tuesday held a belated celebration of the International Day of Older Persons at the Katutura Old Age Home. The day is observed on 1 October every year to appreciate the contributions that older people make to society. It is also commemorated to raise awareness of issues affecting the elderly, such as senescence (biological aging) and elder abuse. The CoW’s theme for this year’s Day of Older Persons is ‘Safeguarding Our Older Persons During COVID-19 and Beyond’. Speaking at the event, CoW councillor Ananias Niizimba said older people’s contribution to their own health and the numerous roles they play in the awareness of the current COVID-19 pandemic should be recognised. “Despite financial constraints, the CoW commits itself to provide support to older persons, with basic services including subsidised bus services every month to improve their mobility,” Niizimba said. He added that as part of the efforts to minimise the spread of COVID-19 among the old age home’s residents, the CoW organised a workshop to teach residents the importance of wearing a mask, washing and sanitising hands frequently and maintaining social distancing. The Katutura Old Age Home falls under the management of the City of Windhoek. The new members of the old age home’s management committee who were elected in August and who will serve for the next four years were introduced to the residents during the event. They are Milisa-Jane Louw as chairperson, Janet Ananias as vice chairperson, Belisa Lourens as secretary, John Moonde as treasurer, Windhoek Mayor Franzina Kahungu, Ananias Niizimba, Joan Kloppers, Sherley Wemmert, Antonio Wohler and Cecilia Maruta.