Durban - KwaZulu-Natal's elderly citizens have been given special treatment by the provincial government on International Day of Older Persons.
Premier Zweli Mkhize said senior citizens would be well taken care of, as their value cannot be understated.
"The older generation is the one which contributed, through their experience and knowledge, to build today's society. It is for these reasons that the Office on the Rights of Older Persons - within the Office of the Premier - is coordinating and promoting the protection of the rights of older persons," said Mkhize.
Mkhize was addressing a gathering in Port Shepstone on Friday, which marked the extraordinary day to celebrate society's elderly.
The provincial Senior Citizens Forum was present this past week in the provincial legislature to speak about issues affecting their peers.
Mkhize said social security, food security programmes and healthy living for the aged must always be top of government's agenda.
"Government will continue to champion the cause of senior citizens, working with civil society and the Senior Citizens Forum. They have the right to participate in socio-economic activities that would improve the quality of their lives. They have a right to demand adequate infrastructure, such as housing and roads," he said.
Another measure to help senior citizens is Adult Basic Education Training (ABET). It is aimed at senior citizens to improve literacy and provide skills essential for a better quality of life.
Level 1 is designed to ensure senior citizens are able to read newspapers, stop signs, TV advertisements and do bank transactions.
Mkhize said that 13.2 million people in South Africa have less than a grade 9 education and a further 4.2 million adults have no schooling. Most are unable to perform basic day-to-day activities.
"For us to achieve a better life for all, we need our citizens to be empowered. One of the fundamental requirements for empowerment is to have citizens who are healthy, educated and skilled," said the premier.
A project called Vukuzenzele Entrepreneurship and Skills Development project in Umzinyathi and iLembe districts has begun to help senior citizens develop their entrepreneurial skills.
The project focuses on crop production, poultry, beadwork, baking and candle making.
