The Eastern Cape Government observed and celebrated the International Day of Elderly Persons at the Oliver and Adelaide Tambo Regional Hospital in Mbizana, last week.
According to the spokesperson for Alfred Nzo District Municipality, Sixolile Petela, MEC for the Department of Social Development, Bukiwe Fanta, called for an end to violence against older persons.
He added that Fanta called upon ordinary people and civil society leaders to use their passionate voices and energetic grassroots network to join the fight of fulfilling the promises of the declaration of human rights for older persons in the Eastern Cape.
The mayor for Alfred Nzo District Municipality, Councillor Vukile Mhlelembana, applauded this department for bringing the celebrations to the Alfred Nzo District, because it has high rates of abuse and ill-treatment of elders by young people, both in the domestic and professional spaces. He also emphasised government’s obligation to protect the elderly as they are the true custodians of the liberation struggle and the fruits of freedom.
