Minister Bathabile Dlamini hosts National Older Persons’ Parliament and Conference, 27 and 28 Oct

Needs of the increasing older persons population to be heard

According to Statistic South Africa’s Profile of Older Persons in South Africa (Census 2011), the number and proportion of elderly persons aged 60 years and older relative to those aged 59 and younger has increased over the period 1996–2011 from 2,8 million in 1996 to 4,1 million in 2011, and the proportions from 7,1% in 1996 to 8,0% in 2011.

Projections also show that the older population will continue to increase and by 2030 there will be approximately seven million elderly persons in South Africa.  This impacts on the demographic, socio-economic and social welfare of the country in diverse ways, generating new policy requirements and perspectives, as government seeks to set national priorities that cater for elderly persons as a vulnerable group.

It is for these reasons that the Minister of Social Development, Ms Bathabile Dlamini, will host the second annual National Older Persons’ Parliament at the Mpumalanga Legislature.  The hosting of the Parliament forms part of Social Development Month (October) activities aimed at increasing access to and utilisation of social services through direct intervention by building effective service delivery partnerships between government, communities and other role players.

The Parliament for Older Persons will benefit older persons by giving them an opportunity to engage with the National Assembly on critical issues affecting their lives and also during the monitoring and oversight of services to older persons; allowing them to participate in decision-making on issues affecting them; making older persons aware of their rights, including the right not to be abused; sensitising older persons on the impact of legislation in their lives; and acknowledging the contribution of older persons in the families and the community as a valuable resource in the community.

The idea of a Parliament for Older Persons was conceived through Project Mikondzo – the Department of Social Development’s service delivery improvement programme aimed at responding quicker, more effectively and innovatively to social challenges in the country.

Minister Dlamini will also participate in the Annual South African Older Persons Forum Conference, which provides a coordinated platform for older persons to dialogue on issues affecting them in order to strengthen their voice in the various advocacy processes they are involved in.

Minister Dlamini will also use this opportunity to celebrate twenty years of freedom and democracy and acknowledge the contribution of older person in the past and in South African life today.

Members of the media are invited to attend and cover the events, which will take place as follows:

OLDER PERSONS’ PARLIAMENT
Date: 27 October 2014
Time: 09h00
Venue: Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature

SOUTH AFRICAN OLDER PERSONS FORUM CONFERENCE
Date: 28 October 2014
Time: 09h00
Venue: Mbombela Stadium (Nelspruit, Mpumalanga Province)

For media RSVPs, please contact Mr Jaconia Kobue on 073 026 1111 or JaconiaK@dsd.gov.za

Media inquiries may be forwarded to:
Ms Lumka Oliphant
Cell: 083 484 8067
E-mail: lumkao@dsd.gov.za

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