Month
27 September 2007
The Department of Social Development and the Limpopo Provincial Government
are to launch Social Development Month with a celebration of the International
Day of Older Persons on 1 October.
The Minister of Social Development Doctor Zola Skweyiya and Mr Sello Moloto
Premier of Limpopo will officiate at the celebration, to be held at the Rabali
Stadium in Makhado Municipality in Limpopo. The Department of Social
Development dedicates October to the highlighting of social development
services throughout the country.
South Africa will join other world states celebrate the life long
achievements of older persons under the theme, "Addressing the Challenges and
Opportunities of Ageing: Empowering Older Persons" which is the chosen
International theme for this year. In addition, the United Nations also
designated the first Sunday in October as Grandparents Day, which this year
will be celebrated on 7 October.
"It is befitting that Social Development Month is launched with a
celebration of the role of older persons. They are the fountains of wisdom in
our communities, custodians of our heritage, culture and traditions and play a
key role in the social, economic and political aspects of our society. Older
persons play a pivotal role in many families, especially those with beset by
poverty and vulnerability. Many children obtain a chance in life through their
grandparents. We urge all sectors of our society to celebrate this day in
various forms the youth, faith-based sector, women, business, labour,
traditional leaders, families and communities," said the Minister of Social
Development, Doctor Zola Skweyiya.
Parliament passed the Older Persons Act last year which seeks to, a.
maintain and promote the status, well-being, safety and security of older
persons, b. recognise the skills and wisdom of older persons and c. promote
participation of older persons in the community activities. The department is
currently holding national training workshops in most provinces to educate
communities on the Act itself and what it requires. The International Day
celebrations are a culmination of this work and will also serve to consolidate
the work already done. The national department will hold other activities
during the month to mark Social Development Month. These are the following:
Social Development Month events
International Day of Older Persons, community event
Date: 1 October 2007 at 09h00
Venue: Rabali Stadium in Makhado Municipality, Limpopo
Launch of Early Childhood Development Services registration drive
Date: 11 October 2007 at 09h30
Venue: Council Chambers in Themba, Hammanskraal
World Food Day, International Day for the Eradication of Poverty and World
Rural Women's Day
* The National Development Agency will host a three day conference on the theme
"Attacking Poverty from the Grassroots." It will bring together delegates who
have a direct daily experience of as well as businesspeople, traditional
leaders, faith-based organisations and other role-players to discuss grassroots
approaches to tackling poverty.
Date: 16 to 17 October 2007 at 09h30
Venue: Cedar Park Conference Centre, Woodmead, Johannesburg
World Development Information Day and conference to mark World Development
Information Day in Cape Town
Date: 24 October 2007
Venue and time is to be confirmed
Imbizo focus week
* Ministerial roundtable with stakeholders of the Department of Social
Development, National Development Agency and South African Social Security
Agency
Date: 25 to 26 October 2007
Venue and time to be confirmed
Enquiries:
Lakela Kaunda
Cell: 082 782 2575
Media reservations:
Zingaphi Jakuja
Cell: 074 197 8383
Jonas Mashigo
Tel: 012 312 7793
Issued by: Department of Social Development
27 September 2007
