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South Africa: Pensions for elderly to be increased next year to R700
By
A'eysha Kassiem
December
19, 2003
Christmas came early for about 300 elderly people in Lotus River yesterday
when a Christmas lunch was held in their honor at the local sport and
recreation hall.
The event was hosted by the Department
of Social Services and Poverty Alleviation.
The department also announced that pension
grants would be increased from R500 to R700 next year.
"But this is not to win the
hearts and minds of our elderly citizens to get them to vote for us. It is
an indication that we care for the most vulnerable members of our
society," said the department's spokesman, Eric Ntabazalila, on
behalf of MEC Marius Fransman.
Fransman could not attend the event as he was in a meeting, said
Ntabazalila.
Ntabazalila said: "We need to thank the elderly for the contribution
they have made in raising young people (and) for their contribution to building and (improving) this country.
"The heroes and heroines are not only the Nelson Mandela and
President Thabo Mbekis, but also people like you who have to sacrifice a
lot for your children and grandchildren."
Ntabazalila said despite the fact
that the elderly in disadvantaged areas were denied many opportunities
under the apartheid government, they had not given up.
"You strove for a better life for your children and grandchildren
despite the harsh conditions you were living under and it is for these
reasons that we have to thank you.
As young people we need to commit
ourselves to ensuring elderly people are protected from hunger, physical
and mental abuse," he said.
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© 2002 Global Action on Aging
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