Date: 01/10/2003
Source: Ministry for Social Development
Title: Skweyiya: Conference on older persons & launch of Social Development Month
KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY THE MINISTER OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT, DR ZOLA SKWEYIYA, AT THE CONFERENCE ON BUILDING A CARING SOCIETY FOR OLDER PERSONS, East London, 1 October 2003
Premier of the Eastern Cape, Mr Makhenkesi Stofile
MEC for Social Development, Mrs Moerane-Mamase,
The Executive Mayor,
Programme Director,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Thank you for the opportunity to deliver the keynote address at this Conference on Building a Caring Society for Older Persons -- especially on the occasion of the International Day of Older Persons. The International Day of Older Persons is the appropriate occasion to reiterate our government's commitment to the United Nations principles for older persons: independence, participation, care, self-fulfilment and dignity.
Ngale mini yanamhlanje njengorulumente we phondo nesizwe siphela, sizokuthi kuni nonke bantu badala be lizwe lakowethu nomhlaba jikelele yimini yenu lena. Yimini yo konwaba sivuyela okuninzi enisenzele kona. Halala! Badala Halala.
Sibulela kakhulu ukuthi sikhululekile nje namhlanje, kungenxa yemisebenzi nemizamo yenu. Siyazi okokuba niwa nivuka mihla le nisikhulisela amasapho nabantwana bethu ngalenkamnkam incinci niyifumanayo.
Siyawabulela kwanamagalelo enu ekukhuliseni nasekukhuseleni iinkedama, ikakhulukazi ngalamaxesha anzima engculasi. Sithi ke kuni njengorulumente wenu Nangamso!
Ladies and Gentlemen, because we will soon be celebrating the tenth anniversary of our democracy, it is important to review the progress that we have made in achieving the overall objectives set out in the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP). It is also a time to celebrate the important role, contributions and sacrifices of older persons.
It is also a moment to reflect upon what ten years of democracy has meant for older persons. This is even more important given the fact that the country will hold its third democratic elections.
The commitment that we made in the RDP was to develop an integrated programme, based on the people, that provides peace and security for all and builds the nation, that links reconstruction and development and that deepens democracy. These are the six basic principles of the RDP and are the basis for reflecting upon what ten years of democracy has meant for older persons.
Financing the RDP in order to reach the goal of "Building a society for all Ages", which was the theme of the Second World Assembly on Ageing held in Madrid in Spain last year, requires a balanced economy as a foundation. Because of the advances we have made in macro-economic management we have been able to make significant progress in the fight against poverty and other forms of vulnerability.
A good example of this progress is in the provision of social grants. The payment of grants is government's biggest poverty alleviation programme. Over 6,5 million people now receive grants. I am happy to announce that of these 2 million (i.e. about 95%) of those are older persons. Even more importantly, to date we have registered over 3,8 million children for the CSG. This is 800 000 more than the 3 million target set to be achieved by for March 2004. Over 1 million people with disabilities also receive grants every month.
Furthermore, the government is providing millions of poor families, especially those headed by older persons, with free water, electricity, houses and our children now have access to free education and health.
These significant achievements could not have been possible without the help and active involvement of faith-based organisations, business, labour, the media and civil society.
We will therefore continue to strengthen these partnerships. These partnerships are a vital component of the people's contract for a better South Africa for all especially children.
Ladies and gentlemen, because of the balanced economic platform that we have created, government has been systematically increasing the funds allocated for social pensions. In this regard, during the 2002/3 financial year all social grants were increased twice, with each increase set above inflation. It should be noted that older persons constitute 40% of all social grant beneficiaries and receive two-thirds of the social grant budget.
We nevertheless acknowledge the fact that we still need to make more progress towards achieving our goal of eradicating poverty and transforming our country into a just and prosperous society.
Now more than ever before, we also need to ensure there is respect the older persons in our society for their sterling role as the custodians of our culture and traditions. We are a people with a rich heritage and we are proud of our identity. In addition to being custodians of our culture, older persons are also the glue that holds families and communities together and implore them to continue with that work. You do us proud!
For all of these reasons, we call upon older persons to take the lead in our country's Moral Regeneration Campaign. We must work together to make sure that all social ills like abuse crime are removed from our midst.
Programme director, because the context for this conference is the progress we have made during nine years of democracy, we would be remiss not to acknowledge the fact that our struggle for democracy has produced great leaders such as Lilian Ngoyi, Dorothy Nyembe, Dora Tamana, Oliver Tambo, Govan Mbeki, Walter Sisulu, Nelson Mandela and many others. These leaders epitomise the courage and contribution of older persons to the freedom and respect for human rights that prevails in our country.
These contributions are at the core of our history and we are a people that must never forget our history. Because of this we say to our young people: beka uyihlo nonyoko ukuze imihla yakho yandiswe emhlabeni!
In our review of the progress we are making in building a caring society for older persons, it is important to note three important recent decisions by Cabinet. At its meeting on 23 July this year, Cabinet adopted the Older Persons Bill for submission to Parliament. The Bill seeks to protect the rights and dignity of senior citizens and also protect them from all forms of abuse.
In addition, at its next meeting held on 6 August, Cabinet approved for submission to Parliament the Social Assistance Bill that reassigns the social grants function to the national sphere of government in line with the decision to set up a National Social Security Agency.
The main aim of this is to ensure that we bring efficiency and effectiveness in the payment of social grants such that we can restore the dignity and respect of our people especially the older persons. We do not want to see any longer the humiliating condition of our older persons and people with disabilities having to wait in long queues, travel long distances and wait for hours to get their grants. Social grants are you constitutional right and must be aid in conditions of dignity and respect.
Finally, at a special Cabinet meeting held on 8 August this year, Cabinet decided that the Department of Health should, as matter of urgency, develop a detailed operational plan on an antiretroviral treatment programme. This will go a long way in beginning to reduce the social impact of this killer disease on families and communities especially the poorest of the poor.
I am glad to note that all of these issues and the commitment on active ageing that were made in the World Assembly in Madrid and embodied in the Older Persons and Social Assistance Bills that will be tabled before parliament like the rights of older persons and the impact of HIV/AIDS on older persons, will be the subject of presentations and panel discussions at this conference.
Distinguished guests, I am also glad that this conference on building a caring society for older persons is taking place in the Eastern Cape. In this part of our country the challenges of unemployment, poverty and HIV/AIDS are particularly acute. Because of this situation, President Thabo Mbeki has introduced the Turn Around Plan to improve service delivery, root out corruption and enhance good governance in the Eastern Cape. At both the national, provincial and local levels of government, this Plan, known as Sisonke Siyanqoba, is making significant progress and service delivery is improving.
Before I conclude the formal part of my keynote address and officially launch Social Development Month, I would like to call on both older persons and the youth to participate in the Integrated Community Registration Campaign that we are conducting in all provinces so that all eligible children under the age of nine years are registered, children are registered for birth certificates and those eligible for identity documents are also registered. I would also like to urge faith-based organisations and other structures of civil society to assist the government in its quest to provide food security and alleviate poverty as well as to monitor the quality of services provided by the contractors and public servants responsible for paying social grants.
By working together in partnership we can strengthen families and communities and build a better life for all, especially our children.
I thank you.
For more information contact: Mbulelo Musi, Tel: 27-12-312-7654, Cel: 082-904-3395, Fax: 2-12-312-7943
E-mail: Mbulelo.Musi@socdev.gov.za
Issued by: Ministry for Social Development
1 October 2003
Source: Ministry for Social Development
Title: Skweyiya: Conference on older persons & launch of Social Development Month
KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY THE MINISTER OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT, DR ZOLA SKWEYIYA, AT THE CONFERENCE ON BUILDING A CARING SOCIETY FOR OLDER PERSONS, East London, 1 October 2003
Premier of the Eastern Cape, Mr Makhenkesi Stofile
MEC for Social Development, Mrs Moerane-Mamase,
The Executive Mayor,
Programme Director,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Thank you for the opportunity to deliver the keynote address at this Conference on Building a Caring Society for Older Persons -- especially on the occasion of the International Day of Older Persons. The International Day of Older Persons is the appropriate occasion to reiterate our government's commitment to the United Nations principles for older persons: independence, participation, care, self-fulfilment and dignity.
Ngale mini yanamhlanje njengorulumente we phondo nesizwe siphela, sizokuthi kuni nonke bantu badala be lizwe lakowethu nomhlaba jikelele yimini yenu lena. Yimini yo konwaba sivuyela okuninzi enisenzele kona. Halala! Badala Halala.
Sibulela kakhulu ukuthi sikhululekile nje namhlanje, kungenxa yemisebenzi nemizamo yenu. Siyazi okokuba niwa nivuka mihla le nisikhulisela amasapho nabantwana bethu ngalenkamnkam incinci niyifumanayo.
Siyawabulela kwanamagalelo enu ekukhuliseni nasekukhuseleni iinkedama, ikakhulukazi ngalamaxesha anzima engculasi. Sithi ke kuni njengorulumente wenu Nangamso!
Ladies and Gentlemen, because we will soon be celebrating the tenth anniversary of our democracy, it is important to review the progress that we have made in achieving the overall objectives set out in the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP). It is also a time to celebrate the important role, contributions and sacrifices of older persons.
It is also a moment to reflect upon what ten years of democracy has meant for older persons. This is even more important given the fact that the country will hold its third democratic elections.
The commitment that we made in the RDP was to develop an integrated programme, based on the people, that provides peace and security for all and builds the nation, that links reconstruction and development and that deepens democracy. These are the six basic principles of the RDP and are the basis for reflecting upon what ten years of democracy has meant for older persons.
Financing the RDP in order to reach the goal of "Building a society for all Ages", which was the theme of the Second World Assembly on Ageing held in Madrid in Spain last year, requires a balanced economy as a foundation. Because of the advances we have made in macro-economic management we have been able to make significant progress in the fight against poverty and other forms of vulnerability.
A good example of this progress is in the provision of social grants. The payment of grants is government's biggest poverty alleviation programme. Over 6,5 million people now receive grants. I am happy to announce that of these 2 million (i.e. about 95%) of those are older persons. Even more importantly, to date we have registered over 3,8 million children for the CSG. This is 800 000 more than the 3 million target set to be achieved by for March 2004. Over 1 million people with disabilities also receive grants every month.
Furthermore, the government is providing millions of poor families, especially those headed by older persons, with free water, electricity, houses and our children now have access to free education and health.
These significant achievements could not have been possible without the help and active involvement of faith-based organisations, business, labour, the media and civil society.
We will therefore continue to strengthen these partnerships. These partnerships are a vital component of the people's contract for a better South Africa for all especially children.
Ladies and gentlemen, because of the balanced economic platform that we have created, government has been systematically increasing the funds allocated for social pensions. In this regard, during the 2002/3 financial year all social grants were increased twice, with each increase set above inflation. It should be noted that older persons constitute 40% of all social grant beneficiaries and receive two-thirds of the social grant budget.
We nevertheless acknowledge the fact that we still need to make more progress towards achieving our goal of eradicating poverty and transforming our country into a just and prosperous society.
Now more than ever before, we also need to ensure there is respect the older persons in our society for their sterling role as the custodians of our culture and traditions. We are a people with a rich heritage and we are proud of our identity. In addition to being custodians of our culture, older persons are also the glue that holds families and communities together and implore them to continue with that work. You do us proud!
For all of these reasons, we call upon older persons to take the lead in our country's Moral Regeneration Campaign. We must work together to make sure that all social ills like abuse crime are removed from our midst.
Programme director, because the context for this conference is the progress we have made during nine years of democracy, we would be remiss not to acknowledge the fact that our struggle for democracy has produced great leaders such as Lilian Ngoyi, Dorothy Nyembe, Dora Tamana, Oliver Tambo, Govan Mbeki, Walter Sisulu, Nelson Mandela and many others. These leaders epitomise the courage and contribution of older persons to the freedom and respect for human rights that prevails in our country.
These contributions are at the core of our history and we are a people that must never forget our history. Because of this we say to our young people: beka uyihlo nonyoko ukuze imihla yakho yandiswe emhlabeni!
In our review of the progress we are making in building a caring society for older persons, it is important to note three important recent decisions by Cabinet. At its meeting on 23 July this year, Cabinet adopted the Older Persons Bill for submission to Parliament. The Bill seeks to protect the rights and dignity of senior citizens and also protect them from all forms of abuse.
In addition, at its next meeting held on 6 August, Cabinet approved for submission to Parliament the Social Assistance Bill that reassigns the social grants function to the national sphere of government in line with the decision to set up a National Social Security Agency.
The main aim of this is to ensure that we bring efficiency and effectiveness in the payment of social grants such that we can restore the dignity and respect of our people especially the older persons. We do not want to see any longer the humiliating condition of our older persons and people with disabilities having to wait in long queues, travel long distances and wait for hours to get their grants. Social grants are you constitutional right and must be aid in conditions of dignity and respect.
Finally, at a special Cabinet meeting held on 8 August this year, Cabinet decided that the Department of Health should, as matter of urgency, develop a detailed operational plan on an antiretroviral treatment programme. This will go a long way in beginning to reduce the social impact of this killer disease on families and communities especially the poorest of the poor.
I am glad to note that all of these issues and the commitment on active ageing that were made in the World Assembly in Madrid and embodied in the Older Persons and Social Assistance Bills that will be tabled before parliament like the rights of older persons and the impact of HIV/AIDS on older persons, will be the subject of presentations and panel discussions at this conference.
Distinguished guests, I am also glad that this conference on building a caring society for older persons is taking place in the Eastern Cape. In this part of our country the challenges of unemployment, poverty and HIV/AIDS are particularly acute. Because of this situation, President Thabo Mbeki has introduced the Turn Around Plan to improve service delivery, root out corruption and enhance good governance in the Eastern Cape. At both the national, provincial and local levels of government, this Plan, known as Sisonke Siyanqoba, is making significant progress and service delivery is improving.
Before I conclude the formal part of my keynote address and officially launch Social Development Month, I would like to call on both older persons and the youth to participate in the Integrated Community Registration Campaign that we are conducting in all provinces so that all eligible children under the age of nine years are registered, children are registered for birth certificates and those eligible for identity documents are also registered. I would also like to urge faith-based organisations and other structures of civil society to assist the government in its quest to provide food security and alleviate poverty as well as to monitor the quality of services provided by the contractors and public servants responsible for paying social grants.
By working together in partnership we can strengthen families and communities and build a better life for all, especially our children.
I thank you.
For more information contact: Mbulelo Musi, Tel: 27-12-312-7654, Cel: 082-904-3395, Fax: 2-12-312-7943
E-mail: Mbulelo.Musi@socdev.gov.za
Issued by: Ministry for Social Development
1 October 2003
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