Pretoria - As part of Nelson Mandela Day celebrations, the Department of Social Development will on Thursday officially launch the Older Persons Act in KwaZulu-Natal to promote the status of older persons.
The Older Persons Act (Act 13 of 2006), which came into effect on 1 April 2010, has been developed to protect the elderly against physical, emotional and financial abuse.
The main objective of the legislation is to among others, maintain and promote the status, well-being, safety and security of older persons, recognise their skills and wisdom and promote their participation in community activities.
It also looks at issues to make it possible for older people to live in communities independently, functioning at their highest potential.
The launch, which will take place at Ugu Municipality Complex in Port Shepstone, will be attended by Social Development Minister Edna Molewa, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Dr Zweli Mkhize and provincial MEC for Social Development Dr Meshack Radebe, who will also visit an Old Age Home as part of the 67 minutes campaign to support Mandela Day.
Last year, the United Nations declared July 18 Nelson Mandela International Day, a day that people across the globe come together to serve the communities around them and work towards a better future.
This year, Nelson Mandela will be celebrating his 92nd birthday.
