NATIONAL OLDER PERSONS DIALOGUES UNDERWAY IN RUSTENBURG

By Petrus Siko

• Senior citizens from across the country are meeting to discuss wide-ranging issues that impact their lives.
• More than 1 000 participants at this year’s National Active Ageing Programme held in the North West, packed into the Rustenburg Civic Centre to take part in the national dialogues.
• Topics range from elderly abuse and the ill-treatment of the elderly at service delivery points to social grants means tests, from the training of caregivers and their stipends to the exclusion of elderly people from economic opportunities.

More than 1 000 senior citizens from across South Africa packed the Rustenburg Civic Centre for the national dialogues that are part of the fun-filled 2025 Golden Games hosted by the North West province.

The dialogues are part of the 2024/25 National Active Ageing Programme taking place over three days from 18 – 20 February 2025 under the theme: “Embracing Vitality: Empowering older persons to thrive in their communities.”

Topics under discussion are wide-ranging from elderly abuse and the ill-treatment of the elderly at service delivery points to social grants means tests, from the training of caregivers and their stipends to the exclusion of elderly people from economic opportunities, and from title deeds to the allocation of land and buildings.

Welcoming the elderly from all nine provinces the chief director for social welfare in the North West Department of Social Development, Masego Mekgwe said they are proud to host the national active ageing programme, an initiative that recognises the invaluable contributions of South Africa’s older persons.

Older persons often take on the role of caregivers, raising their grandchildren without financial compensation, she noted.

“They have effectively become foster parents, providing love, care, and stability in families. It is vital that we acknowledge and support them, not only for their caregiving role but also through preventive and early intervention measures.

“We must prioritise empowering our older population economically, ensuring they have the resources and support needed to thrive and continue their essential role in our communities.”

The National Active Ageing Programme promotes the benefits of meaningful participation in physical fitness and active ageing for persons aged 60 years and above.

It also enables older persons to connect with their peers from across the country, forging new bonds and strengthening a nationwide network of shared experience and mutual respect.

The programme also promote healthy lifestyles with the view to creating a positive narrative about ageing as a normal developmental stage in the human life cycle, as well as promoting nation building and social cohesion.

The annual event is held jointly with the Department Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation, the South African Older Persons Forum and the national and provincial departments of social development on a rotational basis.

As part of the day-long programme, elderly people will participate in the choral music competition once the dialogues have concluded.

Other activities of the Golden Games include male and female soccer, athletics, and the brisk walk.

The awards ceremonies will take place on Wednesday and Thursday at the Impala rugby stadium in Rustenburg.