​This year's theme for the International day for Older Persons is Journey to Age Equality. The day is marked annually on 1 October.

'The International Day for Older Persons is an opportunity to highlight the important contributions they have made, and continue to make, to society and is about raising awareness of the opportunities and challenges of ageing in today’s world,' said the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.

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Older people have always played a significant role in society as leaders, caretakers and custodians of tradition.

'Our elderly are also highly vulnerable, with many falling into poverty, becoming disabled or facing discrimination. As health care improves, the population of older people is growing and their needs are also growing, as are their contributions to the world.

‘Older persons come with a wealth of experiences and skills. Despite this, they are often overlooked and fall prey to physical, psychological or even financial abuse. Sadly, this is often at the hands of family or the very people meant to care for them. As a society, we need to ensure that the elderly are informed of their rights and that they are able to deal with the situation should they find themselves in such a predicament,' added Councillor Badroodien.

The two-day event is aimed at honouring the elderly, but also at providing them with information from various other organisations and government departments such as the Cape Peninsula Organisation for the Aged, the South African Social Security Agency, the Department of Home Affairs and the South African Police Service.

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