Let's celebrate the Older Persons Week by protecting and preserving them.
So said Gauteng Social Development MEC Nomathemba Mokgethi during the handing over of thirty rooms to be used as part of a Supportive Housing Programme for older persons at Hofmeyr House.
The Supportive Housing Programme is an initiative of the Tshwane Leadership Foundation in partnership with the Yeast City Housing is aimed at developing residential facilities to meet the holistic needs of the vulnerable older persons.
"Mokgethi said" after visiting No 2 Struben Street Shelter in Pretoria this week, I witnessed appalling living conditions of the older persons, I was touched. Our people need decent places such as these where they can be protected and cared for. I hope the partnership that we are starting today can help us realise this endeavour.
She said that the Older Persons Week will be celebrated by visiting senior citizens shelters in the province to check their living conditions because some of our gogo's and mkhulu's are been abused by their own families who misuse their state issued old age pensions.
Wilner de Beer from the Tshwane Leadership Foundation said that the intention of the Hofmeyr House is to combine decent, affordable housing with social care, to create a haven and a community of care where older persons can flourish.
This year the world marks the 30th anniversary of the International Day of Older Persons. Older Persons Week is observed from 30 September until 06 October. A key milestone during this week is the celebration of the International Day of Older Persons on October 1, a day designated by the United Nations in 1990.
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