MPUMALANGA PREMIER TO HOLD INTERACTIVE DIALOGUE WITH OLDER PERSONS

MPUMALANGA PREMIER TO HOLD INTERACTIVE DIALOGUE WITH OLDER PERSONS

BY Brian       Kajengo

Mpumalanga Premier, Mr. David Mabuza, accompanied by Social Development MEC, Mrs. Candid Mashego-Dlamini, will hold interactive dialogues with Older Persons in various district municipalities in the province. Although the dates for the Nkangala and Gert Sibande districts have not yet been confirmed, Ehlanzeni will hold its event on 08 April 2014 at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.

The dialogues are aimed at promoting the entrenchment of older persons’ rights and dignity agenda in Mpumalanga. Government has acknowledged its obligation with regards to older persons by being involved in many international forums that seek to defend and protect the rights of older persons. 

South Africa is amongst countries that adopted the Political Declaration and Madrid Plan of Action on Ageing during the Second World Assembly held in Madrid, Spain in April 2002. The Madrid Plan of Action on Ageing is a resource for policy-making, suggesting ways for government, non-government organizations and other key role players to reorient the ways in which their societies perceives, interact with and care for their older citizens. The Office of the Premier in Mpumalanga has since established the Office on the Rights of Older Persons in this regard located within the Target Groups directorate.

The scheduled Premier’s Dialogue with Older Persons is an important milestone in the establishment of Older Persons Forums at local, district and provincial levels as it will set a tone for rights-based approach in advocating for active participation and visibility of older persons in all matters that affect them.