Address by the member of the Executive Council for Social Development Ms Nandi Mayathula-Khoza on the occasion of the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, Rethabiseng, Bronkhorstpruit
Programme Director
The Community of Rethabisen bo Koko and Ntate Moholo
Officials of Social Development Distinguished guests;
Ladies and gentlemen:
I am delighted to join you here this afternoon as we commemorate the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
This commemoration makes me proud to be South African. It confirms that as a country, we are a proud member of the community of nations. We too, as the whole world pauses for a moment to reprimand its 7 billion citizens not to abuse the elderly, are part of this proud initiative.
This day was first launched on the 15th of June 2006 as a response to increasing concerns about elder abuse, neglect and exploitation. The United Nations General Assembly in its resolution 66/127 then designated June 15 as the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day to voice opposition to abuse and suffering inflicted on Older Persons.
This day is recognised a reminder to all of us about the rights of Older Persons and should involve activities that will bring greater recognition
of elderly abuse as one of the social ills that should not be tolerated in families and communities.
The South African government is doing all possible to ensure that no elderly are abused and those who do are held accountable. We have laws such as the Older Persons Act No 13 of 2006 which emphasises the rights and protection of Older Persons, the development of the Protocol on Elder Abuse and the adoption of the South African Older Persons’ Charter demonstrates the commitment by the South African Government to the welfare of Older Persons.
Here in Gauteng, in 2014 we developed the Anti-Elder Abuse Strategy to intensify programme for prevention and protection of Older Persons. Sadly, the abuse of he elderly remains a challenge despite all these initiatives.
Programme Director, our older Persons are subjected to verbal, sexual, psychological and financial abuse. These types of abuse have a negative impact on their physical, emotional, social and economic wellbeing and happen across all economic, ethnic, religious, gender and cultural groups. In some instances the abuse results in murder and this necessitates this continuous awareness to ensure protection of Older Persons.
You as the elderly, the community and community structures must embark on elder abuse awareness campaigns of your own. You can look at prevention programmes such as marches in collaboration with other relevant stakeholders.
Allow me to make this point emphatically, the rights of Older Persons are human rights and it is therefore imperative to ensure that programmes are designed and implemented for their protection.
Older Persons need to be supported as they are adding value in communities. They provide caregiving support to vulnerable and orphaned children and in some instances maintain unemployed dependants in their families.
They continuously serve others and little emphasis is put on their contributions.
Bokoko le bo Ntate Moholo, we are here today to raise awareness because we acknowledge that you play a very critical role in the society as care givers. Because you now live longer and in some instances you have become the second and third time parents.
But your physical strength is deteriorating with the years and you are highly susceptible to diseases which makes you unable to defend yourselve dangerous or life threatening situations especially in the case of abuse/neglect. You they become frail their vulnerability increases as since you are now dependent on caregivers for survival and their protection.
Programme Director, I am particularly concerned about the under reporting of elderly abuse due to the fear of intimidation by the elderly. As part of efforts to curb the problem, we launched a Care Line during the 2016 International Day of Older Persons to encourage Older Persons held in Soweto.
The Adopt a Gogo/ Mkhulu programme is also implemented in the Province through identification of community members who adopt Older Persons who are at risk in terms of safety and are expected to conduct regular visits to their respective homes to ensure protection. In 2016/17 Financial Year 1694 cases of abuse were reported.
Let me take this opportunity to urge all the older persons to report abuse to relevant authorities, Social Development , Health Centres , and SAPS.
I am happy to announce that in 2017/18 the Department will be organising marches in the five (5 regions) from June to August 2017 to intensify awareness on elder abuse and reach out to more areas and communities.
Will provide soup for Older Persons in the morning Gauteng Older Persons Forum- Will provide snacks and procure marshals who will assist mainly with the march.
Department of Health- Will provide Emergency Management Services and a health screening clinic. SAPS -To receive the memorandum and provide a podium for the event.
In conclusion, I am happy to be here in Rethabiseng; to see for myself how much this community is in need of government services. I am aware that you are in dire need of social care services. I am in particular, aware that this community requires social care services for vulnerable groups such as the poor of the poorest and marginalized groups of society.
Families here and the entire community are in need of programmes that address care for older persons, substance abuse, and care for persons with disability, child care, Victim Empowerment, HIV/Aids and other Care & Support programs.
I wish all the best and many more healthy years ahead.
Thank.
