Senior citizens told the Minister for Social Development, Ms Bathabile Dlamini, that the scourge of HIV and AIDS as well as the high rate of youth unemployment has forced them into the role of parents for the second time. They now have to look after their grandchildren - whose parents have died of HIV related illnesses or are too ill to fulfil their parenting duties - and their living children who cannot look after themselves because of unemployment.
Among their requests were an increase of the old age grant and bigger RDP houses that can accommodate them and their grandchildren. They also appealed to government to assist them with income generating programmes to supplement their grant income.
The Department of Social Development and its entities, the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) and the National Development Agency (NDA) have launched the Cooperative Shop Project, an initiative aimed at combating poverty by linking social grant beneficiaries (particularly the care givers of children receiving child support grants) and other vulnerable groups to meaningful socio-economic opportunities.
Through the Project, members of cooperatives, mostly women, are assisted to supply school uniform to schools in rural areas - a market that has been dominated by large manufacturers.
The senior citizens also requested government to support them in their local initiatives to remain active and live healthier lives by providing equipped health and fitness facilities for older persons.
The Department of Social Development, in partnership with the Department of Sports and Recreation, promotes active ageing and socialisation amongst older persons by hosting the National Golden Games for older person each year during October. This year's Golden Games take place at the Boksburg Stadium, Ekurhuleni, from October 23 to 24.
Addressing the special sitting, Minister Dlamini thanked the senior citizens for their enthusiastic participation in the Parliament arranged for them and assured senior citizens that this will not be a once off event.
"We want to institutionalise the Senior Citizens' Parliament and make it an official and formal structure through which senior citizens can debate their issues and engage government on topics of importance to them and ensure that these matters are attended to. We will work closely with provincial and local government to ensure that similar sittings take place at provincial and local government level," explained Minister Dlamini.
The senior citizens alleged abused by loan sharks and other financial companies. They raised a concern about deductions for micro loans and airtime that are effected on their social grants. The deductions are in certain instanced alleged to be effected without their consent or authorisation.
The Minister assured senior citizens that the Department of Social Development is looking into this matter with urgency and will do everything in its power to put an end to the real or perceived exploitation of the social grant beneficiaries, especially the elderly.
The issues raised during the Senior Citizens' Parliament will be presented by the Department of Social Development to the relevant government departments for consideration and possible intervention.
Media inquiries may be directed to:
Lumka Oliphant
Cell: 083 484 8067
E-mail: lumkao@dsd.gov.za
