MEC says older persons should be treasured

Limpopo MEC for Social Development Nkakareng Rakgoale has called on South Africans to respect, protect and promote the rights of older persons as enshrined in the Constitution.

Rakgoale was speaking on the occasion of the International Day for Older Persons held at Regorogile Multi-Purpose Sports Centre in Thabazimbi on Tuesday 1 October.

Waterberg Executive Mayor, Morris Mataboge, Thabazimbi Mayor John Michael Fischer, and the Older Persons Forum, were among those in attendance.

Rakgoale used the occasion to launch Social Development Month, whereby the department lined up a number of activities aimed at highlighting services rendered by her department.

She said older persons should be treasured as icons and beacons of indigenous and cultural knowledge.

“The way they have been doing things, raising children, connecting with their peers and keeping families together through many hard times, should be a template we build our communities from. The purpose of this day is to recognise senior citizens in the human and economic development of our communities,” she said.

The Limpopo Provincial Government also celebrated the Older Persons’ Week, which is observed from 30 September until 6 October every year.

This year’s celebration took place under a theme: Embracing Older Persons’ Rights.

— The BEAT