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Gvt to create elder persons friendly policies: President
Movement for Democratic Change
October 29, 2012

President Tsvangirai today made a special donation to over 500 elderly people in Harare at a ceremony held belatedly to mark 1 October a day set aside by the United Nations in recognition of the elderly worldwide.
President Tsvangirai said the event marks the beginning of efforts to advocate for a better living standard for the elderly in the country.

"Today is your day as the elderly, this is a good beginning for us to recognize our elders for their sterling work for the nation and the children that they bore. I know that the welfare programme at the moment is not satisfactory but I want to assure all the elderly that the government will create policies that safeguard the elderly by catering for their health along other needs," President Tsvangirai said.

He said the elderly should get a meaningful pension so that they can get basic needs for their survival. He said he is aware that the Zimbabwe dollar wiped all pensions but assured them that the state must address this problem as the elderly are facing serious challenges due to poverty.

President Tsvangirai also spoke about the role of the elderly in the liberation struggle saying that he is aware of the selective gratuity given to war veterans yet most elders fought in the war. He said he will ensure that for everyone's role in the liberation struggle, there must be recognition for it.

Hon Nelson Chamisa addressing at the same conference said the sole purpose of the ceremony is to celebrate the elderly for their efforts in agriculture, commerce, industry and all sectors of the economy.

"We must celebrate our elderly for producing the engineers, headmasters, graduates, teachers who are a product of the tenacity of the elderly in raising up families. We have to honor our grandfathers and grandmothers for the good work they have done.

The elderly had lunch with PM Tsvangirai after receiving blankets and clothes.

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