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The South African Older Persons Forum (SAOPF) is the watch dog for the rights of older persons in South Africa and recently the Northern Cape launched their Older Persons Forum under the leadership of Mr. Don Jacobs who was elected as the chairperson. The Northern Cape Older Persons Forum (NCOPF) is made up of representatives from all the districts in the province. The Northern Cape Forum consist of two representatives from all five districts, as well as government departments with the Department of Social Development the lead department.

The role of the forum is to promote the rights and dignity of older persons, consult and advise government, comment on legislation and policy, foster the growth of the community organisations, disseminate information and raise public awareness. It will also serve as a channel to keep older persons abreast about issues affecting them, whilst allowing them to speak with one voice when lobbying the spheres of government to address issues concerning them.

At the launch of the Northern Cape Forum in Upington, The Portfolio Chairperson of Social Development Ms Alexandria Beukes, thanked the older persons for the valuable contribution that they give in terms of love, knowledge and experience. She made an appeal to younger people to reach out to more fragile and vulnerable older persons.

Northern Cape Older Persons Forum Members

• Chairperson:  Mr. Don Jacobs – Frances Baard
• Deputy Chairperson: Mr. Clement Montsho – John Taolo Gaetsewe
• Secretary: Ms Gail Plaatjies - Frances Baard
• Deputy Secretary: Ms Johanna Freeman – Siyanda
• Treasurer: Mr. Cyril Peters – Frances Baard

Additional Members

• Mr. Johannes Nyl Pixley Ka Seme
• Ms Cecilia Moremi John Taolo Gatesewe
• Mr. May Klaas Siyanda
• Mr. Joseph Saal Namakwa
• Ms Liza Mothelesi Frances Baard

At the National Older Persons Forum, Mr. Don Jacobs from the Frances Baard District and Mrs Cecilia Moremi from the John Taolo Gaetsewe District was nominated to serve on the National Committee. The key role of Jacobs and Moremi is to pursue the issues pertaining to urban and rural areas are included in the developmental agenda of the forum. Speaking at the National Forum the Minister for Social Development Ms Bathabile Dlamini praised the older persons for being the mothers and fathers of the South African Democratic Revolution .

Minister Dlamini also focused on the joint lobbying efforts of the Department of Social Development and the South African Older Persons Forum (SAOPF) saying that South African Police Service (SAPS) was approached to request that a desk for older persons is established at all police stations in the country because of the high levels of abuse and violence against older persons. The Minister also encouraged ward councillors to engage the issues of older persons and make an effort to be present at pension payout points on payday.

The South African Older Persons Forum was followed by the National Golden Games which was an important historical moment in our country.  It is a year in which we celebrate the elders in our history who started the democratic revolution a hundred years ago, through which we today many freedoms protected in our Constitution. The Department of Social Development adopted the Golden Games 5 years as part of promoting and encouraging active ageing amongst our elders.

This year the Northern Cape Province was represented by 110 delegates all older than 60 years who departed on Monday 8 October 2012, to Sun City, where they competed in the Golden Games. The Northern Cape Team ended in an overall position of 5th, with a total of 12 Medals of which Maria Tsodi received gold in Juksie in the 70 + category.

Golden Games for Older Persons gives older persons the opportunity to socialise with their peers, travel the country and to finally have the opportunity to experience a lifestyle, which they never had.