VOICES OF OLDER PERSONS TAKE CENTRE STAGE AT KRAAIFONTEIN DIALOGUE

By Cuma Pantshwa

• The dialogue session at Kraaifontein Home for the Aged, organised by the Department of Social Development, highlighted the resilience and challenges faced by older persons, just before the Budget Vote 2024 in Parliament.
• Minister of Social Development Sisisi Tolashe and Deputy Minister Ganief Hendricks engaged directly with residents, signalling a strong commitment to addressing the issues of abuse, neglect, and the overall well-being of the elderly.
• This dialogue underscored the importance of government and NGO partnerships in supporting older persons and emphasised the need for continued efforts to eliminate abuse and improve care facilities.

“Like a baby, you first crawl, then you learn to walk, and now I am running in this old age home. I now do curtaining, I do alterations, and I also do upholstery,” said Mr Eric Langeveldt, capturing the resilience and spirit of older persons during a compelling dialogue session at the Kraaifontein Home for the Aged. This dialogue, organised by the Department of Social Development, took place just before the Budget Vote 2024 in Parliament.

Langeveldt, who has called Kraaifontein home for ten years, was among the residents engaging with Minister of Social Development Ms Sisisi Tolashe and Deputy Minister Ganief Hendricks. He expressed heartfelt gratitude for the Minister’s visit, which was her first public engagement in her new role, signalling her commitment to amplifying the voices of older persons.

The dialogue session offered a platform for residents to share their experiences and concerns, highlighting the Department of Social Development’s dedication to addressing the issues faced by older persons. As custodian of the Older Persons Act, the Department is mandated to establish facilities, community-based programmes, and other interventions to support the elderly.

Deputy Director-General Ms Siza Magangoe commended the management of Kraaifontein Home for the Aged for maintaining the facility exceptionally well, presenting it as a model of successful collaboration between the government and non-profit organisations (NGOs). She acknowledged that such positive partnerships are not always the norm in other government-NGO collaborations.

Minister Tolashe listened attentively to the concerns raised during the dialogue and committed to returning in 90 days to monitor progress. The home currently houses 124 beneficiaries, including 68 females and 56 males, with six persons with disabilities under the age of 60. The facility receives funding from the Department of Social Development.

The urgency of these efforts is underscored by national statistics. During the State of the Nation Address in February 2023, President Ramaphosa announced that life expectancy in South Africa had increased from 54 years in 2003 to 65 years in 2023. According to the 2022 Census report, the country’s older persons population was estimated at 5.6 million, showing an increase across all provinces. This demographic shift highlights South Africa’s transition to an ageing society and the pressing need to eliminate abuse and neglect of the elderly.

The dialogue at Kraaifontein Home for the Aged underscored the critical importance of addressing the challenges faced by older persons and showcased the government’s commitment to their well-being. It served as a significant step in ensuring that the voices of older persons are heard and their needs addressed, reflecting a broader societal commitment to protecting and caring for the elderly.