PEOPLE are social beings.
It is an innate trait which is undeniable and inescapable, deep-seated in certain brain cells.
When these cells are interfered with, human beings lose emotional feeling, recognition of the emotional significance of family and friends and the concept of a social world.
Social psychologists say without these ‘special’ brain cells, people may isolate themselves, avoid human contact, but there is no loneliness, no sorrow and no tears because they are unable to comprehend the magnitude of their loss.
The traditional African family structure is extended rather than nuclear.
There was something striking in the just-ended festive season. The First Lady, Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa, showed the spirit of hunhu/ubuntu when she visited old people and children’s homes to distribute goodies and food.
Even children living on the streets were also treated to nice food and clothing .
The First Lady reminded many of us that our natural first ties, typically with family members, are not the only relationships we will need over the course of our lives.
Studies across cultural contexts indicate that strong social networks are critical to sustainable development.
Amai Mnangagwa’s kind gestures should push us to action.
We have so many orphans and old people whose survival is now highly dependent on charity.
What has happened to the extended family?
In African societies, families have always looked out for each other.
No one goes hungry or without food in our communities; at least no one used to.
This system promoted social security in the true sense of the word, provided refuge for the disabled, elderly, vulnerable and mentally ill, and redistributed resources where they were needed.
But it seems the extended family is now viewed as a burden, an impediment to capital accumulation and ‘getting ahead’.
It appears young converts in today’s many church denominations mushrooming on a daily basis are more closer to members of their congregations than relatives.
This ‘excessive’ individualism and belonging to ‘churches’ has contributed to the erosion of ties that bind the extended family system.
It is now a common sight in most towns to see elderly women running away from the municipal police for illegal vending while in the evenings, men in their 70s are seen in front of locked shops or supermarkets working as security guards.
The elderly are toiling in the fields instead of enjoying retirement.
In 2002, Zimbabwe was the first African country to draft a bill for older persons soon after the Madrid International Plan of Ageing that took place in Madrid.
The United Nations General Assembly also adopted a landmark resolution on older persons’ rights in November the same year.
According to The Zimbabwe Human Development Report 2003, in developing countries such as Zimbabwe, where the welfare system has limited resources and is under extreme pressure, the elderly find themselves doing care work under extreme conditions of poverty, stigma, lack of support and abuse.
According to Help Age Zimbabwe, a local non-governmental organisation (NGO) dealing with older persons’ welfare, a lot still needs to be done.
Let us emulate the First Lady’s kind and unwavering support to the less privileged members of our society and remember that older people make up a significant population in our communities and form the heart of cultural heritage as they pass on our values and ways to the next generation.