John Taolo Gaetswe District Residents in Northern Cape Largely Back Older Persons Amendment Bill, Voice Specific Concerns

Kuruman, South Africa – In a public hearing held yesterday at Kagung Hall, a majority of residents from the John Taolo Gaetswe District in the Northern Cape Province voiced support for the Older Persons Amendment Bill. The hearing was conducted by the Portfolio Committee on Social Development.

According to a new release by the South African Parliament,while residents broadly supported the bill, they did express reservations. Specifically, they took issue with Section 18A of the bill, which pertains to the deregistration, closing, and revocation of residential or community-based facilities for older persons. Residents submitted a request for reconsideration of this section, arguing that such centers are already scarce in their communities.

The residents suggested an amendment to allow the person in charge of a community-based or residential facility three months to make written representations against closure, deregistration, or revocation, instead of the “less than 30 days” currently stipulated in the bill. They argued that three months would provide adequate time for facilities to meet any required standards, and also called for inclusion of monitoring, evaluation, and training provisions in the bill.

In addition to concerns about the bill, elderly residents complained about having to stand in queues alongside younger people to access various services, such as banking. They cited safety issues, including alleged robberies occurring in full view of police, while they are standing in these queues. They called for separate queues for elderly persons at both public and private service centers to address this issue. They also highlighted the long distances they must travel to reach banking facilities for their grants.

Moreover, they made a plea for training on the use of technology such as ATMs and cellphones. Currently, they rely on their children to withdraw their grants, who sometimes do not give them the full amount.

The Acting Chairperson of the committee, Ms. Sthembile Hlongo, thanked attendees for their meaningful participation and reiterated that public participation is a constitutional mandate of Parliament. She announced that the committee will continue to accept written submissions on the bill, which can be emailed to lntsabo@parliament.gov.za.

Today, public hearings continue at the Francis Baard District Municipality at Kimberly City Hall from 10:00 – 14:00.