the Elderly People of Kwahlabisa
10 October 2007
The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government will interact with the people of
KwaHlabisa at the Hlabisa Stadium in the Umkhanyakude District of KwaZulu-Natal
this weekend from 13 to 14 October 2007.
On Saturday, 13 October 2007, commencing at 10h00 the provincial government
will commemorate Child Protection Day and on Sunday, 14 October 2007,
commencing at 10h00, the "Taking Government to the People" Programme will be
hosted. The Office on the Rights of the Child (ORC) within the Office of the
Premier in KwaZulu-Natal is responsible for the co-ordination and monitoring of
the respect, promotion and protection of children's rights. One of its
co-ordinating instruments is the KwaZulu-Natal Advisory Council for Children's
Rights which is a structure representative of all government departments, local
government and civil society.
Thousands of people, including approximately 5 000 children, the majority
whom are from various areas of the Umkhanyakude District, have been invited to
attend. The event will start with a parade by children, followed by the formal
programme which includes presentations by children and the keynote address. The
main objective of the event is to promote the rights of children as well as
their protection as stated in Section 28 of the Constitution of South Africa
and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The theme for the event is: "Caring communities protect their children,
women and elderly."
Other objectives of the event are:
* to promote the concept of "Morals and Values linked to Girl Guides and
Scouts Movements" as well as children's rights in the Province of
KwaZulu-Natal
* to allow children to present challenges and gaps within the Social Safety
System for children to government and recommended solutions
* to promote an ethos of child protection in KwaZulu-Natal
* to bring on site the mobile services of various government departments
including the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) as well as the
Departments of Social Welfare and Population Development, Health and Home
Affairs.
The "Taking Government to the People" Programme follows similar successful
events that were hosted at Sweetwaters near Pietermaritzburg on 18 and 19
August 2007 and at iXobho in the Sisonke District on 25 and 26 August 2007. An
array of government services, including on-site applications for grants and
pensions, will be on offer to the people of KwaHlabisa and surrounding areas.
Free medical check-ups, massages and food parcels will also be given to the
elderly. Entertainment will also be provided.
Members of the public from KwaHlabisa and surrounding areas are encouraged
to attend and are requested to bring their identity documents along. Local
Councillors are to be contacted for transport arrangements. All media are
invited to attend the events at KwaHlabisa on 13 and 14 October 2007.
Please note picture opportunities.
Transport will be provided. Journalists attending must confirm their
attendance by no later than 14h00 on Thursday, 11 October 2007, with Jeff
Hassan on 082 884 1872.
Enquiries:
Logan Maistry
Cell: 083 6444 050
E-mail: maistryl@premier.kzntl.gov.za
Issued by: Office of the Premier, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
10 October 2007
Source: SAPA
