26 September 2002
As a consequence of improvements in health care and awareness of the importance of healthy lifestyles, South Africa is being blessed with increasing numbers of older persons. We have close to three million people aged 60 years or more, which is 7% of our total population. One in ten of these, amounting to more than 300 000, are aged over 80 years.
Our struggle for democracy has produced great leaders such as Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Oliver Tambo and many others. They, as older persons of our country, epitomise the courage and the contribution that older persons have made to freedom, democracy and human rights in South Africa.
Sadly, many of our older persons are poor. However, Section 27 of our Constitution states, "everyone has the right to ... social security, including, if they are unable to support themselves and their dependants, the right to social assistance." Our programme of social grants to older persons is central to alleviating poverty amongst older persons. Each month, nearly 2 million older persons benefit from this non-contributory scheme. Older persons are recipients of well over half of the social grant budget.
Government recognises that the social grants programme does not meet all the needs of older persons and we have implemented other measures to improve the conditions for you as our senior citizens. These measures include income generation projects; access to free basic water; a housing subsidy scheme; free primary health care; and Operation Dignity to promote respect for older persons. New legislation to create a supportive environment and to enhance the safety of older persons is currently being drafted.
We are very aware of the wealth of experience and wisdom that older persons possess and are keen to see your full involvement and participation in all aspects of the social, cultural, political and economic life of our nation.
May I express the deep and sincere gratitude of all South Africans to you for your continuing contribution to the progress of this our beloved country.