10 Mar 2019

Vice President, Mr Slumber Tsogwane, has commended Leading Age Foundation for playing an active role in taking care of the elderly.

Delivering a keynote address at the occasion of elderly people’s wellness in Moshupa on March 8, Mr Tsogwane, who is also MP for Boteti West, said the event was intended for a good course, adding  that it was also in line with vision 2036.

The vice president said all should be mindful of the principle of inclusiveness in day to day programme ventures so that no one was left behind in development. 

He appreciated Leading Age Foundation for organising the occasion, noting the country would go far when everyone played their part in development by bridging service gaps.

He said  the event presented an opportunity to reflect as a nation and appreciate the abilities that elderly population still possessed despite their age. 

Mr Tsogwane said elderly persons had contributed immensely to the socio-economic development of the country, democracy and peace that the nation still enjoyed.

Furthermore, he said recognising the contributions elderly population made in building the nation; the occasion served to bring key services to the special members of the community.

He said government was aware that the elderly persons found it challenging to access services they required most due to social and physical incapacity, hence bringing services closer to them was paramount.

The vice president said ageing came with a composite of challenges thus all stakeholders should ensure that the elderly did not lose their inherent dignity and fundamental rights, including the right to health and recreation.

He said the Madrid Plan of Action appreciated the interdependence between older persons’ social integration and the full enjoyment of their human rights, therefore opportunities must be created for elderly persons to fully participate and interact with the rest of the society.

The Madrid Plan of Action offered a bold new agenda for handling the issue of ageing in the 21st century. 

Mr Tsogwane  assured the ageing population of the government was committed to ensuring that they access services in particular health and welfare.

He said government had improved the lives of elderly persons, adding they introduced Old Age Pension for all citizens 65 and above, elderly also benefit from other social protection programmes such as World War II veterans monthly allowance.

For his part, founder and chairperson of Leading Age Foundation Mr Percy Moroka said life was fast nowadays but elders were not able-bodied to cope with the ever increasing speed hence the establishment of the foundation. 

He said in European countries there were voluntary organisations such as old age homes that catered for the special needs of the elderly, but stated that in African set-up family structures did not allow that as members want to stay with relatives.

He therefore spoke of the need to implement such in the country to ensure elderly’s welfare was taken care of and received services at the right time. ENDS