Picture: The North West Older Persons’ Forum/Supplied
By REGINALD KANYANE
The North West MEC for Social Development, Sussana Dantjie said her department will continue to ensure that the rights of elderly persons are not trampled upon. Dantjie said this during a meeting with the North West Older Persons’ Forum recently.
She further encouraged the senior citizens to be active champions on the interest of older persons. Dantjie further said the province has consistently provided the national forum with chairpersons, underscoring the wealth of leadership it has.
“I have no doubt that this leadership quality that the national forum has embraced can take us to new heights. I appeal to the provincial forum to go back to the drawing board and continue to create a powerful legacy that will last generations.
“Their structure must be solid from ward level because it is at the grassroots, where you will harness unity and interest for a stronger older persons’ forum. The forum must also benchmark from other provinces with a similar outlook with the province,” she said.
Dantjie added that the forum must never underestimate their influence and must fight for better services in both public and private space.
Meanwhile, the National Chairperson of Older Persons’ Forum, Kgosietsile Sehularo, who is also the Provincial Chairperson said: “We have presented a detailed plan, which Dantjie embraced and will ensure its implementation, especially where it tallies with the plans of the department.
“However, we continue to experience poor services in most public spaces, where at times, older persons have to endure long queues while on their feet. However, we vow to deepen advocacy and awareness on the rights of older persons. We also made a clarion call to Dantjie to ensure that actions are taken on resolutions of the Older Persons Parliament.”
Sehularo said on the other niggling issues that afflict senior citizens, Dantjie has promised to support many pensioners, whose funds lay unclaimed. He said there are many older persons who do not enjoy the ‘fruit of their hard labour’.
“Sometimes this happens based on minor technicalities. The forum must drive this issue, while arrangements could be made on educational roadshows to help those who are yet to claim their money.
“The meeting was to acquaint Dantjie with structures under her belt. She donated a laptop and router to the structure to ensure that their work is recorded for future reference,” said Sehularo.
The Guardian 