North West MEC for Health and Social Development, Rebecca Kasienyane has urged older persons to guard against exploitation from unscrupulous people who are after their old age grant since many households depend on it.
This is after Kasienyane heard with shock how Snowden Likupe of Kanana Township in Klerksdorp related his dilemma during her visit to the old man’s house. Likupe (84) opened his house to a man whom he thought cared and allowed him to stay in his house on condition that he will care for him. It turned out the man was only after his old age grand until Masibapisane Old Age Centre in Klerksdorp and social workers from the department intervened.
“The old age grant that government gives to older persons does not necessarily cover everything as it is used wherever is needed by families and grandchildren thus leaving nothing for their own needs. The money must therefore be used responsibly and you must avoid surrounding yourselves with greedy people” said MEC Kasienyane.
Kasienyane was speaking in Klerksdorp last Thursday, where she spent a day with older persons celebrating an International Day for Older Persons. She highlighted that older people continue to play a critical role through volunteer work, transmitting experience and knowledge, helping their families with caring responsibilities and increasing their participation in the paid labour force and called for protection.
“In a society where many of our households are affected by HIV and AIDS, older persons now make major contributions. For instance, throughout Africa and elsewhere, millions of adult AIDS patients are cared for at home by their parents.
“On their death, orphaned children left behind (currently, 14 million under the age of 15 in African countries alone) are mainly looked after by their grandparents.
“Now we can all agree that such a critical role and contributions to development can only be ensured if older persons enjoy adequate levels of health, care from government and communities” said Kasienyane.
Kasienyane also visited older persons headed families and presented them with groceries and blankets.
Enquiries:
Tebogo Lekgethwane
Cell: 082 929 9958
Email: tlekgethwane@nwpg.gov.za
Ngwako J Motsieng
Tel: 018 387 5740
Cell: 082 964 8838
Fax to e-mail: 086 634 2993
E-mail: NMotsieng@nwpg.gov.za
