The Department of Social Development commemorates World Elder Abuse Awareness Day in JTG

Boipelo Mere

The MEC for the Department of Social Development, Youth, Women and Persons with Disabilities, Mase Manopole, led the successful commemoration of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) at the Maruping Village Community Hall in the John Taolo Gaetsewe District on 18 June 2026.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is observed annually to raise awareness of the abuse and neglect experienced by older persons and to encourage collective action to safeguard their dignity, safety and wellbeing.

This year’s commemoration reaffirmed the Department’s commitment to ensuring that older persons live free from violence, exploitation and discrimination.

The event brought together 300 older persons from Maruping Village and surrounding communities to raise awareness and strengthen community efforts.

The commemoration formed part of the Department’s ongoing efforts to promote active ageing, social inclusion and the protection of older persons across the Northern Cape.

Maruping Village was selected to host this year’s commemoration in recognition of the socio-economic challenges faced by many rural communities, where poverty, unemployment, substance abuse and domestic violence often increase the vulnerability of older persons.

The programme also highlighted the growing concern of financial exploitation, particularly where older persons’ social grants become the primary source of household income.

Throughout the programme, older persons and community members received information on recognising and reporting the various forms of elder abuse, including financial, emotional, physical and psychological abuse, as well as the support services available to victims.

Representatives from SAPS, SASSA and the Northern Cape Older Persons Forum addressed participants on their respective roles in protecting older persons, improving access to justice, strengthening social protection and promoting the wellbeing of senior citizens.

Manopole reaffirmed government’s commitment to protecting the rights of older persons as enshrined in the Older Persons Act and the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.

She called on families, communities and institutions to work together to end elder abuse, stressing that abuse against older persons is a violation of human rights and that every citizen has a responsibility to protect senior citizens.

Mma Agnes Hantise of the Northern Cape Older Persons Forum encouraged older persons to maintain active lifestyles, participate in recreational programmes and embrace active ageing.

SAPS urged older persons to report all forms of abuse, whether experienced or witnessed, while SASSA highlighted the measures available to protect older persons from the misuse of their social grants by family members or other individuals.

The MEC reaffirmed that the protection of older persons remains a priority and encouraged communities to report all suspected cases of abuse, neglect and exploitation.

She further committed to strengthening partnerships with municipalities, law enforcement agencies, civil society organisations and traditional leaders to ensure that older persons continue to enjoy their rights, dignity and independence.

Manopole donated R30 000 to Phuthanang Bagodi, a non-profit organisation that provides services to older persons, to support its active ageing programmes and extend its reach in promoting the social protection of older persons.

She also presented each of the 300 participants with a blanket to provide warmth during the cold winter season.