Bloemfontein:The rights, dignity, and well-being of older persons are being highlighted as Social Development Minister Dina Pule spearheads the Active Ageing Programme at Dr. Petrus Rantlai Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein, Free State. The event, taking place today, focuses on promoting healthy ageing and fostering intergenerational solidarity.
According to South African Government News Agency, the programme is guided by the Older Persons Act 13 of 2006, the National Development Plan, the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, and the United Nations Decade of Healthy Ageing. It aims to promote healthy ageing, positive lifestyles, social cohesion, and intergenerational solidarity.
The two-day event, themed 'Golden Years See Our Value; Golden Opportunities Promote Our Rights,' is scheduled for 30 to 31 October 2026. It seeks to prevent social isolation and loneliness, strengthen community-based care and support services, and empower older persons to actively participate in society while ensuring access to their rights, dignity, and inclusion.
As part of efforts to amplify the voices of older persons, the programme includes interactive dialogues where senior citizens can share their experiences and raise issues affecting their daily lives. The Department of Social Development notes that older persons face socio-economic challenges, such as sharing their old age grant income with families and caring for orphaned and vulnerable grandchildren amid high unemployment and limited household resources.
The programme also addresses vulnerabilities to various forms of abuse, including physical and emotional abuse, gender-based violence, and femicide, while many older individuals face health challenges related to chronic and age-related conditions. The initiative seeks to promote the rights, well-being, and social inclusion of older persons and encourages communities to recognize their value and support their meaningful participation in society.
Additionally, the programme features the Golden Games, which include choral music, soccer, athletics, and various indigenous games to promote physical health, social interaction, active participation, and a sense of belonging among older persons. The initiative is supported by partnerships between the Department of Social Development and various government departments, stakeholders, and organizations.
The Active Ageing Programme also aligns with South Africa's commitment to the 2002 Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, focusing on older persons and development, advancing health and well-being into old age, and ensuring enabling and supportive environments. The plan emphasizes a developmental approach to ageing, ensuring older persons enjoy their full human rights.