LEGISLATURE HOSTS A SUCCESSFUL SENIOR CITIZENS’ PARLIAMENT AMID LEVEL 1 LOCKDOWN

Legislature Hosts A Successful Senior Citizens’ Parliament Amid Level 1 Lockdown

The 2020 Senior Citizens Parliament had a resounding success despite the country still under Level 1 Lockdown due to the COVID-19 epidemic. On the 2nd October, the Legislature gathered delegates of senior citizens from all districts of KwaZulu-Natal, in their annual parliament that provides the elders with a platform to debate issues affecting them.
Amongst the important issues that were discussed included the issue of long queues at pension pay-points, the killing of elderly women by young boys for their pension monies, provision of housing for elders and those with physical challenges also top the agenda. Members of the Executive Council (MECs) from various departments also took to the podium to address the elders on the programs of their respective departments that seek to better the lives of the elders in this province.
The day ended with an address by the Speaker of the Legislature Hon. Nontembeko Boyce who promised that all resolutions that were adopted by the Senior Citizens will be followed upon by relevant portfolio committees of the Legislature to ensure swift implementation of those resolutions by provincial departments. She also appealed to the MEC for Community Safety to ensure maximum availability and visibility of SAPS at pension pay-points to guarantee the safety of the elders and that the crimes pertaining to elderly abuse, GBV be given a priority and should be dealt with as a matter of national crisis.