​“The love we receive from the Gauteng Department of Social Development is amazing. On behalf of all the elderly people, we really appreciate it as this department always takes care of us”. 
This is according to Meisie Ruele during a luncheon with centenarians hosted by the department at Glenburn Lodge and Spa, Muldersdrift in the West Rand on Tuesday. 

Ruele said the department makes them feel very special with their continuous support. She added that she was grateful with all the programmes the department offers the elderly people as their rights are protected and respected.
 
The event was hosted to honour and acknowledge their contribution to the welfare of their families and to the development of the province. This was also used as a platform for older persons to raise issues with the department that affect them in their daily lives. 

Addressing the centenarians, Mogale City Local Municipality Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Health and Social Development Lesego Lekota, said, “I am truly humbled to be in your presence as I was raised by my grandparents. I know the role you are playing in our lives, and we do not acknowledge you enough. 

On behalf of my generation, I really apologise because all we do is to create more problems for you. We dump our children with you, you raise them with pension money, and you had mentioned that it was not enough”. 

“I appreciate what the Gauteng Department of Social Development is doing for our elderly people. To our elderly, we really need your presence and wisdom. Please make use of the services offered by the department and we also appreciate caregivers for taking care of our older persons”, Lekota added. 

More than 100 older persons received blankets and toiletries as a token of appreciation from the Gauteng Provincial Government.
 
Older Persons Act No. 13 strives to enhance the quality of life and wellbeing of older persons by engaging them in programmes that promote their optimal level of social, physical, mental, and emotional functioning.