Dressed in their matching blue tops, members of Botle Buhle Old Age Organisation, were treated to an educational day about their rights.
The event took place on March 27, at the gymnasium hall, in Zulu section Duduza, and was part of the Human Rights month celebrations.
Various speakers represented organisations including, IEC, Department of Economic Development, and Community Policing Forum, who highlighted issues contained in the Older Persons Act 13, of 2006.
Dikhang Legoale is the assistant director, on consumer education and awareness at the Department of Economic Development.
He was the first speaker and started by telling the pensioners about the nine key consumer rights, that every South African should be aware of, which are contained in the consumer protection act (CPA) No 68 of 2008.
“You have a right to quality, and if a store doesn’t have change you must demand it, even if its just 5 or 10 cents,” he said.
He went on to remind the audience that they should always keep their till slips, because they serve as proof of purchase.
The upcoming elections were also part of the discussion, and the senior citizens whose ages ranged from 60 to 85 years, were reminded that those who can’t make it to the voting stations due to old age, disability or illness have the option of arranging to have IEC officials come to their homes to enable them to cast their votes.
Violet Masimong is a member of the CPF mediation desk, she touched on the subject of abuse that old people suffer, sometimes at the hands of loved ones.
“Everyone has a right to move freely, eat, shelter, voice their problems and to report abuse to the police,” said Violet.
She closed by reminding the pensioners that they have a right to assist each other when faced with problems.
