Older persons week 2013

Older Persons Week is observed from 30 September until 6 October 2013. 

A key milestones during that week is the celebration of the International Day of Older Persons on 1 October, a day designated by the United Nations in 1990.

Each year the United Nations provides the theme for the commemoration of International Day of Older Persons considering the challenges facing older persons globally during the particular year. The 2013 theme is “The future we want: what older persons are saying’’. All activities during Older Persons Week will focus on this theme.

The second important day is Grandparents Day which is celebrated on the first Sunday of October, which will be 6 October this year.

President Jacob Zuma will launch Older Persons Week on 29 September at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House in Pretoria by hosting a party for older persons from all nine provinces to highlight the rights and wellbeing of older persons.

Events

Government messages

Older men and women enjoy the same rights as anyone else in South Africa.

• Older persons enjoy all the rights enshrined in the Constitution particularly the right to have their dignity respected.
• The Constitution establishes a society based on democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights and seeks to improve the quality of life of all.
• The Older Persons Act supplements the constitutional rights as it contains provisions to improve the lives of older South Africans. The main objectives of the Act are to:
  • maintain and promote the status, well-being, safety and security of older persons;
  • maintain and protect the rights of older persons;
  • shift the emphasis from institutional care to community-based care in order to ensure that an older person remains in his or her home within the community for as long as possible;
  • regulate the registration, establishment and management of services, and the establishment and management of residential facilities for older persons; and
  • combat the abuse of older persons.

Government continues to prioritise the provision of basic needs of older persons.

• Since the dawn of democracy, government has ensured that every elderly person receive the same ‘state old-age pension’ irrespective of race.
• Government has significantly changed the lives of older persons for the better through the provision of free essential services such as water, health, housing and energy in various municipalities and districts.
• We have also put in place mechanisms to make sure that services and facilities which promote the respect and dignity of older persons, are easily accessible.
• Any person who feels his or her rights have been violated is encouraged to approach Chapter 9 institutions such the Office of the Public Protector and the South African Human Rights Commission which are mandated to promote human rights and good governance.

Older persons are incredible assets to the nation.

• We must take care and listen to our elderly people; they have knowledge and wisdom that can strengthen our foundation of building a better life for all.
• Government will never be able to achieve an enabling environment for the protection and promotion of rights of older persons without the active participation, cooperation and support of the community and especially organisations such as those of civil society and the faith based sector.
• We call on all South Africans to respect, protect and promote the rights of older persons as contained in our laws.
• Working together we can ensure that we prevent any exploitation and abuse of older persons.
• We call on the youth to take play a key role in the development of a caring society, particularly for older persons.
• Government will continue to work with communities and ensure the enforcement of laws to protect older persons from criminality.

Society must unite and eradicate the scourge of abuse against women and children, particularly elderly women.

• Together, we can and must do more to prevent violence against women and children, in particular elderly women; provide services to survivors of abuse and ensure that perpetrators are punished.
• Our collective effort through various campaigns can create awareness; reduce the number of sexual offences and attacks on elderly women in our country.
• Government’s fight against this crime has further been bolstered by the re-introduction of the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Units on 30 June 2012.
• These units have dedicated investigators and other resources, and are assigned to cases where women and children are affected by violence.
• Perpetrators and observers of these acts have no place in society, and communities must act to expose such behaviour.

More information

• Government services for the elderly
• Speeches and statements on Older Persons Week
• United Nations: International Day of Older Persons
• Photo gallery of launch