Social Development Minister Dina Pule has called for stronger measures to protect older persons from abuse, neglect, exploitation and discrimination, saying their rights and dignity must be upheld through sustained action.
The Minister was speaking at the official opening of the 2026 National Active Ageing Programme, comprising the National Golden Games and the Older Persons Choir Festival, at the Dr Petrus Rantlai Molemela Stadium in Mangaung, Free State, on Friday.
Held under the theme: “Golden Years: See Our Value; Golden Opportunities: Promote Our Rights,” the national programme brings together older persons from all nine provinces to promote healthy ageing, social participation and the well-being of senior citizens.
Pule said protecting and promoting the rights of older persons is a responsibility rooted in the Constitution, legislation and the country's commitment to human dignity, equality and social justice.
“The protection and promotion of the rights of older persons is not an act of charity or kindness. It is a responsibility grounded in our Constitution, our legislation and our commitment to human dignity, equality and social justice,” she said.
The Minister said the Older Persons Act 13 of 2006 provides an important legislative framework for protecting older persons and strengthening services that enable them to live with dignity.
However, she stressed that legislation alone was insufficient without sustained collaboration between government, civil society, families and communities.
“We cannot claim to uphold the dignity of older persons while turning a blind eye to elder abuse, social isolation, inadequate care or exclusion from community life.”
She called for continued efforts to strengthen the legislative and policy framework governing the protection and support of older persons, including through applicable amendments to the Older Persons Act.
The Minister said government must also improve access to appropriate care and support services and ensure that older persons are consulted and included in decisions and activities affecting their lives.
The National Active Ageing Programme is one of the Department of Social Development's flagship initiatives aimed at promoting the rights, dignity, independence, participation and overall well-being of older persons.
Through community-based interventions, sport, recreation, lifelong learning and social participation, the programme encourages older persons to remain active and connected to their communities.
She said the National Golden Games provide an important platform for challenging negative stereotypes about ageing and demonstrating that older persons remain active contributors to society.
“We must move beyond viewing older persons merely as recipients of social assistance or care. They are active citizens, custodians of knowledge, community leaders, mentors, artists, athletes and contributors to our economy and social development,” she said.
Pule also called on municipalities and local community structures to sustain active-ageing initiatives throughout the year, rather than limiting them to annual national gatherings.
“Active ageing must not be confined to an annual national gathering. It must become an integral part of our community development efforts, ensuring that older persons have regular opportunities to remain physically active, socially connected and meaningfully engaged,” she said.
READ | Minister Pule leads Active Ageing Programme
Local Government Elections
The Minister further encouraged eligible senior citizens to participate in the upcoming Local Government Elections scheduled for Wednesday next week.
She said older persons have the right to participate in democratic processes and contribute to decisions affecting their lives and communities.
“The value of a person does not diminish with age, and the responsibility to uphold their rights does not expire with time,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za
