As the country commemorates Human Rights Day, the Department of Social Development will use the day to promote the rights of older persons through dialogue and sporting activities in Mbombela, Mpumalanga.

The active ageing programme will be held on Thursday in collaboration with the South African Older Persons Forum (SAOPF), under the theme: ‘Leaving No One Behind during the Decade of Healthy Ageing’.

The programme seeks to improve the quality of life, health, and well-being of older persons by instilling dignity, peer social integration, as well as promotion of senior citizens’ voices and the creation of awareness concerning their ability to express themselves through dialogue, music, sport, and recreational activities.

The active ageing programme will unfold through an interactive dialogue where older persons will have the opportunity to participate in a democratic manner by independently expressing themselves on how they would like to be treated by authorities and society.

Among other topics, they will
reflect on the role of traditional leadership in the promotion and protection of the rights of older persons, family care and support.

Older persons will also participate in various sporting activities including soccer and athletics which are an essential component of active ageing programme.

All government departments, tasked with the implementation of the Older Persons Act will be part of the proceedings

‘In choosing to concentrate on the human rights of older persons, the department is trying to encourage the country to respect the human rights of older persons as enshrined in the Constitution.

‘The active ageing programme is a platform to inform older persons about their rights; establish cooperation with government so that older persons’ rights, concerns, needs are identified, voiced, and addressed,’ the department said in a statement.

According to the 2022 Census report, the country’s older persons population was estimated at 5.6 million. The report shows an increase in the number of older persons
across all provinces, with highest number of the older population being in Gauteng at 1.4 million and KwaZulu-Natal at 940 000.

‘This is an indication that South Africa is becoming an ageing society which is not immune from the burden of disease that can cause disability due to an increase in old age-related chronic diseases.

‘In a few decades, the loss of health and life worldwide will be greater from non-communicable or chronic diseases, such as, cardiovascular disease, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, arthritis and diabetes among others,’ the department said.

The department highlighted that in South Africa older persons are faced with numerous challenges including, gender-based violence and femicide. They are often deprived from enjoying their old age as they are often forced to take care of orphaned and vulnerable grandchildren.

Source: South African Government News Agency