Issued by: Ministry of Social Development
April 7, 2002
The Minister of Social Development Dr Zola Skweyiya will tomorrow (Monday April 8, 2002) address the Second World Assembly on Ageing in Madrid, Spain on the Government's measures taken to improve the conditions of older persons.
Some of the issues the Minister will inform the World Assembly about include the following:
"The improvement of the conditions of older persons have become top priority of Government Programmes and policies because Government considers older persons not only as important but also as the true custodians of our culture, traditions and heritage. We hope that this second World Assembly on Ageing will enhance our efforts and experience of further improving the conditions of older people," said the Minister.
Significantly South Africa is taking part for the first time as a democratic state in the World Assembly. The first World Assembly on Ageing took place in Vienna, Austria in 1982, at a time when South Africa was under apartheid rule and isolated from International Forums like the Assembly.
The Assembly is expected to be attended by more than 150 countries represented by Ministers', NGOs professional bodies as well as other civil society structures dealing with issues of ageing and older persons.
The South African delegation, led by Dr Skweyiya will also present the country report titled: "National Report on the Status of Older Persons 1994-2002: Report to the Second World Assembly on Ageing, Madrid, Spain, April 2002. South Africa" which speaks to the progress the country has made since 1994 in improving the conditions of older persons.
Dr Skweyiya released the report to the nation prior to his departure for Spain at a function attended by the media, older persons representatives from communities around Pretoria, and senior officials of the Department of Social Development on Thursday April 4, 2002. Minister Skweyiya is due to be elected the Vice-President of the World Assembly.
Enquiries : Mbulelo Musi Cell : 083 442 9041