27 September 2007
The Department of Social Development and the Limpopo Provincial Government
are to launch Social Development Month with a celebration of the International
Day of Older Persons on 1 October 2007.
The Minister of Social Development, Dr Zola Skweyiya and Mr Sello Moloto,
Premier of Limpopo, will officiate at the celebration to be held at the Rabali
stadium in Makhado Municipality in Limpopo. The Department of Social
Development dedicates October to the highlighting of social development
services throughout the country.
South Africa will join other world states to celebrate the life long
achievements of older persons under the theme, "Addressing the challenges and
Opportunities of Ageing: Empowering Older Persons" which is the chosen
international theme for this year. In addition, the United Nations also
designated the first Sunday in October as Grandparents Day, which this year
will be celebrated on 7 October 2007.
"It is befitting that Social Development Month is launched with a
celebration of the role of older persons. They are the fountains of wisdom in
our communities, custodians of our heritage, culture and traditions, and play a
key role in the social, economic and political aspects of our society. Older
persons play a pivotal role in many families, especially those overwhelmed by
poverty and vulnerability. Many children obtain a chance in life through their
grandparents. We urge all sectors of our society to celebrate this day in
various forms â the youth, faith-based sector, women, business, labour,
traditional leaders, families and communities", said the Minister of Social
Development, Dr Zola Skweyiya.
Parliament passed the Older Persons Act last year which seeks to:
* maintain and promote the status, well-being, safety and security of older
persons
* recognise the skills and wisdom of older persons and
* promote participation of older persons in the community activities
The Department is currently holding national training workshops in most
provinces to educate communities on the Act itself and what it requires. The
International Day celebrations are a culmination of this work and will also
serve to consolidate the work already done.
The national department will hold other activities during the month to mark
Social Development Month. They are the following:
Social Development Month Events:
Date: 1 October 2007
Activity: Celebration of International Day of Older Persons.
Time: 09h00
Venue: Rabali Stadium in Makhado Municipality, Limpopo
Date: 11 October 2007
Activity: Launch of Early Childhood Development Services registration
drive.
Time: 09h30
Venue: Council Chambers in Themba, Hammanskraal
Date: 16 to 17 October 2007
Activity:
World Food Day, International Day for the Eradication of Poverty and World
Rural Women's Day
The National Development Agency will host a three day conference on the
theme: "Attacking Poverty from the Grassroots". It will bring together
delegates who have a direct daily experience of poverty as well as
businesspeople, traditional leaders, faith-based organisations and other role
players to discuss grassroots approaches to tackling poverty. The conference
will take place as follows:
Date: 24 October 2007
Time: 09h30
Venue: Cedar Park Conference Centre, Woodmead, Johannesburg
World Development Information Day
Conference to mark World Development Information Day in Cape Town:
Date: 25 to 26 October
Time: To be confirmed
Venue: To be confirmed
Imbizo Focus Week:
Ministerial Roundtable with Stakeholders of the Department of Social
Development, National Development Agency and South African Social Security
Agency.
Date: 26 October 2007
Time: To be Confirmed
Venue: To be confirmed
For media RSVPs, please contact:
Zingaphi Jakuja
Cell: 074 197 8383
Jonas Mashigo
Tel: 012 312 7793
Enquiries:
Lakela Kaunda
Cell: 082 782 2575
Issued by: Department of Social Development
27 September 2007
