AGE-in-Action: NORTH WEST PROVINCE

Background

There are 400 000 aged over the age of 60 years in North West of whom 75% live in black townships and rural areas.  The literacy rate is low, less than 50% of the elderly can read or write.  Most of them live in poverty.  The pensions they receive every month provide an income for whole families [sometimes up to 14 people].  Elderly persons are targets for crime and abuse.

Services   Rendered

Age-in-Action renders services to persons 60 years and over focusing on development of services in rural areas;  building of structures;  training of management committees;  training in related fields;  sangala exercises;  elder abuse;  income-generating projects;  skills development;  financial matters,  entrepreneurial training;  infra structure;  collaboration between government and ngo’s awareness campaigns;  press releases;  marketing of arts and crafts.  There are 12 service centers for white elderly and only one for black elderly.  There are 40 service clubs across the province for black elderly with no funding.  There are 24 subsidised old age homes for frail elderly persons.  A successful programme is Sangala , a programme of sports and leisure.  Many older persons participates in this programme which consists of games, exercises, gardening and promotes an active and healthy lifestyle.  It is celebrated in October every year.

PRIORITIES

• Training of management committees of service centers.
• Establish service centers.
• Secure subsidies from government.  The government does not provide subsidies for community based services in the province.
• Establish a forum to address ageing issues.
• Economic development projects to generate jobs and income.
• Development of provincial policy and legislation.
• Addressing elder abuse.
• Fundraising to finance projects which is extremely difficult.
• Training seminars on different subjects, e.g. abuse; fundraising; research;  standards of services.