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.
Older Persons Week will be observed from the 30th of September until 6 October 2013. Key milestones during that week will be the celebration of the International Day of Older Persons on the 1st of October, a day designated by the United Nations in 1990. The second important day is Grandparents Day which is celebrated on the first Sunday of October, which will then be 6 October this year.
President Zuma will kickstart national celebrations and dialogues that will focus on the role, rights and wellbeing of older persons in society as well as celebrate their contribution to the South Africa we live in.
After the President's launch, government departments led by the Department of Social Development will host various dialogues and events to promote a better life for older persons in various ways. Faith based organisations and non-governmental organisations are also urged to host programmes that will take this campaign forward.
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 say". All activities during Older Persons Week will focus on this theme.
President Zuma has urged all South Africans to take Older Persons Week seriously and mark it with dignity and respect for older persons.
"We will be observing the rights and dignity of a generation of older persons who were affected by the country's troubled past. They lived through troubled times, worked hard and raised their children and grandchildren and cared for families as best as they could. The majority were denied decent education. They were forcibly removed from their homes and suffered immeasurable loss but they survived. We are glad they contributed so positively to the South Africa we live in today", said President Zuma.
The President has urged families and households to ensure that much attention is paid to grandparents in particular on the 6th of October, Grandparents Day, in the same manner that mothers and fathers are feted on Mother's Day and Father's Day in the country.
"In giving expression to the UN theme, South Africa will acknowledge the critical contribution that older persons have made in the development of South Africa. Recognizing that older persons grew up in an oppressive society where injustice was entrenched and opportunities to express their views and concerns were non-existent, Older Persons Week should be used to speak to and listen to older persons. They have a wealth of knowledge, expertise, potential and wisdom. They should therefore be able to live in dignity free from any exploitation and abuse, and with their rights upheld," urged President Zuma.
The programme of activities for Older Persons Week beyond the Sunday launch by the President will be released in due course.
Enquiries:
Mac Maharaj
Cell: 079 879 3203
E-mail: macmaharaj@icloud.com
