Golden Games Conference for older persons
11 July 2006
Chairperson, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, mothers and fathers
of the nation
It is indeed an honour and a privilege for me to join you this morning on
this memorable occasion marking the first Golden Games for our country. It is a
time to celebrate the important role, contributions, wisdom and sacrifices made
and are still made by our older persons, to provide quality of life to all of
us.
It is time that we reflect on ourselves and see whether we do enough to
acknowledge contributions made by our older persons as well as whether we
support the commitment to change the perspective on ageing in our country.
There is recognition that the potential of older persons is a powerful basis
for future development, enabling society to rely increasingly on the skills,
experience and wisdom of older persons not only to take the lead in their own
betterment, but also to participate actively in that of society as a whole.
The new global approach to ageing is holistic, positive and promotes the
full participation of older persons in development processes. It further
promotes self-representation and active participation in decision making,
recognising ageing as a normal phase of life.
At the Second World Assembly held in April 2002 South Africa committed to
implement with vigour, the International Strategy on ageing as it recognised
that older persons are custodians of our traditions, our heritage and our past,
and are mirrors of our future. They have a right to healthy productive life and
to live in a caring environment and to be treated with respect and dignity.
The International Strategy on ageing has three priorities to:
* older persons and development
* advancing health and well being into old age
* creating a supportive and an enabling environment.
These priorities were signed in Madrid in 2002. I am proud today to be among
the multitudes gathered here today to mark the first Golden Games of our
Country as this indicates compliance to the above priorities. We are today
signifying that our commitment to the strategy was not only in paper but we are
living it.
It is high time that as a country we take the lead on global issues and
customise them to suite our situation.
We should have faith in our older persons not only on issues affecting them
but in central decision making our older persons have become victims of our
professional models of care. We have often described in terms of cost factors
or the burden of the future and portraying them as requiring more and more help
and support which is not true.
We are all aware of our present situation with both HIV/AIDS pandemic and
poverty and unemployment in the country has led many households to rely on
older persons pensions for survival. Not only for the monitory part but also
for the caring of family members both the sick, frail and unemployed. Older
persons are such a reliable resource without charging a cent for their skill
and a cent for their skill and support. They are always available for whatever
need.
Our churches are 90% older persons, our volunteers are almost 100% older
persons. The people who support families during times of grief are 100% older
persons. I know this for a fact. A few days ago I lost my mother, and I
received all the comfort from the elders both from my family and neighbourhood.
It is high time that we recognize older persons as an invaluable resource and
use their expertise to the fullest. The youth of today will be the older
persons of tomorrow. Therefore we need to understand and view ageing as a
normal phase of life and not discriminate. Any form of discrimination should be
eradicated.
Maximising the development potential of older persons would benefit the
country. As the three priorities of the international strategy indicate. We
need to allow older persons to participate actually in every developmental
programme of the community.
In the case of retirement it is important to bear in mind that every effort
should be made to promote a smooth and gradual transition and also that
retirement does not stop one from being creative and contributive society has
an obligation to maximise the potential of older persons. This conference has
been designed at the appropriate time where we need to value and keep the
health of older persons at its best.
In their old age when they may require support and expect to be looked
after, they have to take on the role of caring for others, in most cases
without even the basic necessary resources. Thus their health is the most
precious asset not only to them, but also to their families and communities.
Lack of economic, social and psychological support combined with poor access to
health services, constantly restrict their ability to provide the care expected
of them. All efforts have to be made to support and address the
vulnerability.
The older persons has been classified as being part of the vulnerable group,
as a result of a lifetime of hardship, malnutrition, poverty, and in old age,
high susceptibility to chronic diseases. The HIV/AIDS pandemic is posing an
additional burden on them and is increasing their vulnerability as they find
themselves in a position of having to continuously provide care.
The HIV/AIDS pandemic has not only the roles of older persons to being
providing of care it has also traumatized them causing psychological trauma.
Older persons continue to struggle to absorb the multiple impacts of HIV/AIDS.
They try to help to care but can only watch as the young adult children die
from HIV/AIDS the grief of fear of the future contribute to stress them and
damaging them emotionally especially impaired. This added burden is probably
the greatest risk factor in jeopardising their own health status. There is
therefore no doubt that this will contribute to accelerated ageing, and
violation of their rights to live meaningful and quality life.
Older persons continue to remain the poorest sector in the population party
because of their sharing nature. Census 2001 indicate that 64% of older persons
(60 years and above) fell below the poverty datum line; also that the majority
of these older persons are female.
The commission on Gender Equality recognised the gap with regard to the
promotion and protection of the rights of the older persons. The older women
are often widows without any financial support. Press reports have continuously
highlighted how vulnerable older persons are to abuse often because their
rights are not protected. Press reports have also indicated the rise on
financial abuse of older persons.
Older persons view the escalation of crime, which is associated with high
unemployment role as an unfair factor of their vulnerability in society. They
also indicate that this is due to their inability to defend themselves due to
physical ability. Furthermore older persons feel that lack of respect and
various factors including attitudes and community perceptions on ageing
contributes to their inability to live in society.
In conclusion therefore it is essential to create awareness on the rights of
older persons. Their value in society be prioritised and all efforts to made to
promote dignity and creating a society of all ages.
One more wish to thank the organizers of this meeting for arranging it and
most of all for sharing a thought about older persons.
I thank you
Issued by: Department of Social Development
11 July 2006
