Sunday News (Zimbabwe)

Mat North celebrates elderly people

- Belinda 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.

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