The Portfolio Committee on Social Development, chaired by Dr. Tlou Chokoe, hosted public hearings in Hammanskraal for the Older Persons Amendment Bill.
The public hearing aimed to present amendments to the Older Persons Act, introducing new definitions and provisions for monitoring and evaluation. Monitoring each bill during legislation is crucial before it becomes law.
“We have been in consultation with the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), regarding this bill, which stems from Act Number 13 of 2006,” Chokoe said.
The Amendment Bill was presented in all 12 official South African languages to accommodate community members attending the public hearings.
“It gives me pleasure to observe that the majority of people in this hall are older people, for whom this bill is intended,” Chokoe said.
“It would have been a significant mistake to present this bill to youth audiences. The government you elected has recognised challenges in the existing act, particularly regarding the protection of older people.”
Since the bill’s implementation in 2010, the government conducted roadshows in 2014 and 2015, consulting older people’s forums, the Human Rights Commission, various departments, and the public. Their input was considered in developing the new bill, leading to NCOP meetings with different legislatures.
“The NCOP has visited provincial legislatures and met with my committee on Social Development. Together with the department, provincial department, and NCOP, we decided it would benefit our people to hold public hearings,” Chokoe added.
Mavis Mphela from Social Development National Department outlined the redefined provisions from the act in the proposed amendment bill.
“Previously, females were classified as older at 60 years while males at 65 years,” Mphela said. “We have amended the act to define an older person as anyone 60 years or older. This aligns with Section 9 of the constitution regarding equality laws, ensuring everyone is equal before the law.”
“The previous act differentiated aging thresholds: 60 years for women and 65 for men,” Mphela said. “The amendment standardizes the definition to 60 years for all persons, aligning with constitutional equality principles.”
“Whether male or female, at 60 years, all South Africans are considered older persons,” she added. “We have also redefined ‘caregiver’ to include family members who provide services to older persons with disabilities or who are frail. Additionally, any community member providing care services must possess a qualification accredited by the national framework qualification,” Mphela explained.
Dr. Chokoe encouraged community members to submit written submissions for consideration in the amendments, stating, “We will be very happy to receive your written submissions to ensure that all you wish for can be included in the amendments we are taking forward to the NCOP.”
