adminBelinda Moyo, Sunday News Reporter
THE Government is resolute in celebrating and recognising the elderly persons who have made immense contributions in the building of the nation, an official has said.
Officiating at the International Day for Elderly Persons celebrations held at Nkeyane in Bubi District on Thursday, Minister of Provincial Affairs for Matabeleland North Cde Richard Moyo said the contributions of old persons towards the national building will forever be cherished and celebrated by the nation as a way of showing love and gratitude.
“The elderly require special love and care from all of us, not only because they are our parents but because as a country we appreciate their immense contributions to the building of the nation.
“The Government recognises the special socio-economic circumstances we found our elderly in, and for this reason, the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare is administering a number of policies and programmes that support the specific needs of the elderly in an effort to afford them a decent life,” he said.
Cde Moyo said the Government is determined to provide adequate protection to the elderly persons as they are often abused and neglected.
“Our elderly require protection from discrimination and abuse. There are often discriminatory attitudes, tendencies and behaviours that are targeted towards the elderly based on vulnerability associated with the natural process of ageing.
“As such, as a country we have a new Act of Parliament entitled the Older Persons Act Chapter 17:11 that was promulgated into law in September 2012 and gazetted in September 2017. The law came into being following careful and deliberate consultation with many stakeholders with the aim to protect the elderly,” he said.
In an interview, Matabeleland North provincial officer for Labour and Social Welfare Mr MacNon Chirinzepi said the International Day of Elderly Persons is commemorated around the world in appreciation of the importance of the elderly in the nation building.
He said the commemorations were crucial in reminding the nation to involve the elderly persons in the country’s plans and all the structures of Government.
“This day is celebrated in remembrance of their contributions in every part of the nation building, politically, socially and economically. The celebrations are of paramount importance because they remind us as a nation that in every structure of Government our elders should be involved so that we tap into their wisdom.
“In everything we do we have to consider the elderly persons, we should engage our good traditional practices, giving first preferences to our elderly people.
“In the infrastructure we are building, we should consider friendly structures that won’t inconvenience them in anyway,” said Mr Chirinzepi.
During the commemorations, elderly people received cooking oil, mayonnaise and clothes.
Online Reporter