Older Person Forum

Older persons are not considered a priority by many Government Departments. Through the programmes of the WCOPF, older persons from grassroots level in Eden-Karoo have had many opportunities to raise issues that affect their lives daily e.g. SASSA grants, poor health services. Older persons have been empowered via training programmes run by the WCOPF to take an active role in voicing their concerns. 4 older persons from the region became Members of the Older Persons ’ Parliament in 2012, 2013 and 2014 after undergoing an intensive training programme. This has brought out leadership qualities in these older persons which are used for the benefit and upliftment of individuals and their communities. The Older Person Forum of Mossel Bay is privilege to be part of the Mossel Bay Municipality Good Practice of Gender Mainstreaming through all sectors as older persons form part of the Gender Budget and Gender Action Plan within the Municipality. The Older Person Forum is the tool that is utilised to mainstream gender issues within the Community of Mossel Bay. The Golden Games programme has encouraged older persons to live active, healthy lives, eat correctly and exercise regularly. Although the Regional and National Games take place annually, throughout the year older persons are exercising, practising towards entering a team to the National Golden Games. One of themany benefits is that an older person must be a member of a Seniors Club to enter the Games, which means that he/she is part of a group and has the support of community and professionals. The older men, especially, are encouraged to also join the Seniors Clubs, as often it is only women who join. At the National Games, older persons interact with elderly from other provinces, their outlook is broadened and friendships and networks are formed. Statistics have proven that the majority of older persons are abused by family members. The abovementioned activities encourage older persons to believe in themselves, to stand up against abuse and domestic violence.

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