President Jacob Zuma wishes all senior citizens well tomorrow, 1st of October, the International Day of Older Persons that was designated by the United Nations in 1990.
The theme of this year's 24th commemoration of the International Day of Older Persons is "Leaving No One Behind: Promoting a Society for All”.
Given this theme that encourages inclusive growth and development, we urge South Africans to celebrate Older Persons as resources, and not as burdens on society. Senior citizens play a key role in many families in our country looking after their grandchildren and other vulnerable family members at an age when they should not be caring for anybody.
Many still contribute their wisdom and knowledge in the professional environment while many others remain powerful reservoirs of knowledge for the younger generation. We urge all families and communities to celebrate older persons on the 1st of October and every other day, said President Zuma.
The President also appealed to communities to protect older persons and report all who abuse them to the police. "We want a safer South Africa for older persons. Everyone, especially the youth, must play a role in building safer communities and environments for older persons,” said the President.
President Zuma, who is undertaking the Presidential Imbizo in Pietermaritzburg today, began the formal Imbizo meeting by acknowledging older persons in the audience and handed out gifts to 10 senior citizens.
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