History

The South African Older Persons Forum (SAOPF) was established in response to the growing recognition that older persons in South Africa required a unified, independent and representative platform through which they could collectively advocate for their rights, influence public policy and actively participate in decisions affecting their lives.

In 2000, widespread public concern regarding the abuse, neglect and ill-treatment of older persons prompted the then Minister of Social Development to commission a national investigation into the living conditions and experiences of older persons across South Africa. Public hearings were conducted in every province, providing older persons with an opportunity to share their lived experiences and testify about the abuse, discrimination, exploitation and neglect they endured at the hands of family members, communities, service providers and, in some instances, government officials.

The findings of these hearings culminated in the publication of the landmark 2003 report, “Mothers and Fathers of the Nation: The Forgotten People.” The report painted a sobering picture of the challenges confronting older persons and highlighted the urgent need for government, civil society and communities to prioritise their wellbeing. Among its key recommendations was the establishment of a representative national structure through which older persons themselves could participate meaningfully in policy development, advocacy and decision-making processes affecting their lives.

Responding to these recommendations, the National Department of Social Development, in partnership with the South African Human Rights Commission, convened a National Convention on 18 and 19 August 2005 at the Eskom Conference Centre in Kempton Park. Approximately 150 delegates from across South Africa attended the Convention, representing the broad spectrum of stakeholders working within the ageing sector. Delegates included older persons, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), community-based organisations (CBOs), faith-based organisations (FBOs), traditional leaders, rural communities, war veterans, academics, researchers, private sector representatives and experts in the field of ageing.

The primary objective of the Convention was to establish a national Older Persons Forum that would provide older persons with a credible, representative and unified voice. Participants recognised that while many organisations served older persons, there was no single institutional body through which older persons themselves could collectively articulate their concerns, influence legislation, engage government and promote their constitutional rights.

The Convention provided a platform for older persons to speak directly about the issues affecting their lives while local and international experts shared research, best practices and successful models of older persons’ representative forums operating in other countries. These discussions helped shape the vision and mandate of what would become the South African Older Persons Forum.

At the conclusion of the Convention, a representative Steering Committee was elected, reflecting the diversity of the ageing sector. The Committee comprised representatives from established organisations serving older persons, NGOs, CBOs, FBOs, traditional leaders, rural communities, the private sector, academia, war veterans and, most importantly, older persons themselves.

The Steering Committee was mandated to establish the Forum within six months by developing its Constitution, mobilising membership, building relationships with organisations and rural communities, raising financial support and creating awareness about the establishment and objectives of the Forum.

From its inception, the Convention envisioned the Forum as the national voice of older persons in South Africa. Its mandate included:

• Promoting and protecting the constitutional and human rights of older persons;
• Safeguarding the dignity, independence, wellbeing and participation of older persons;
• Consulting with and advising government on matters affecting older persons;
• Contributing to legislation, policy development and implementation;
• Promoting the establishment and strengthening of community-based organisations and local forums;
• Facilitating communication and information sharing among older persons and stakeholders;
• Raising public awareness on ageing and the rights of older persons; and
• Engaging with the Minister of Social Development, Parliament, Chapter 9 Institutions and other relevant national and international stakeholders.

Growth and Development of the SAOPF

Since its formal establishment in 2005, the South African Older Persons Forum has grown into the country’s foremost representative organisation of older persons. The Forum was formally constituted as a legal entity, established a national office and appointed dedicated staff to coordinate its operations and support its expanding national network.

Over the years, the SAOPF has successfully united thousands of older persons and numerous organisations working within the ageing sector under a common vision of protecting and advancing the rights, dignity and wellbeing of older persons throughout South Africa.

Working alongside older persons, government departments, civil society organisations and other stakeholders, the SAOPF played a significant role in the development of the Older Persons’ Charter and has consistently advocated for improved legislation, policy implementation and service delivery for older persons.

The Forum has actively participated in national consultations on the Older Persons Act, social protection, health care, elder abuse prevention, income security, active ageing, digital inclusion and the promotion of the rights of older persons both nationally and internationally. Through continuous engagement with government departments, municipalities, Parliament, Chapter 9 Institutions, civil society and international partners, the SAOPF continues to influence policy and advocate for programmes that improve the quality of life of older persons.

Organisational Structure

Since its establishment, the South African Older Persons Forum has developed an extensive grassroots organisational structure that enables older persons to participate directly in matters affecting their communities.

Today, the SAOPF has established representative forums in all nine provinces of South Africa, with organisational structures extending into most district municipalities, while local and ward forums continue to be established across the country. This expanding network ensures that the voices of older persons are represented from community level through to provincial and national structures, allowing issues affecting older persons to be identified, escalated and addressed effectively.

This bottom-up structure strengthens democratic participation, promotes accountability and enables older persons to engage directly with government and other stakeholders at local, district, provincial and national levels.

The National Voice of Older Persons

The South African Older Persons Forum is the only national institutional body that was established through a mandate given by older persons themselves, with the support of the National Department of Social Development and the South African Human Rights Commission, to serve as the unified representative voice of older persons in South Africa.

The legitimacy of the SAOPF derives from the collective mandate entrusted to it by older persons across the country. It exists to ensure that older persons participate meaningfully in all decisions that affect their lives and that their constitutional rights are respected, protected, promoted and fulfilled.

Acting on behalf of older persons, the SAOPF continually engages both state and non-state actors, including national, provincial and local government departments, municipalities, Parliament, statutory bodies, civil society organisations, academia, private sector institutions and international partners. Through these engagements, the Forum advocates for improved legislation, stronger policy implementation, better service delivery, increased accountability and greater protection of the dignity, safety and wellbeing of older persons.

The Forum remains committed to ensuring that the voices of older persons are heard at every level of society and that no policies, programmes or services affecting older persons are developed without their meaningful participation.

Central to the philosophy of the SAOPF is the internationally recognised principle:

“Nothing About Us, Without Us.”

This principle reflects the belief that older persons must speak for themselves and actively participate in decisions affecting their own lives. Accordingly, representation on the National, Provincial, District and Local Committees of the South African Older Persons Forum is reserved exclusively for older persons themselves. This governance model ensures that the organisation remains accountable to those it represents and that the lived experiences, priorities and aspirations of older persons remain at the centre of all advocacy, policy engagement and programme development.

Today, the South African Older Persons Forum continues to serve as the collective voice of millions of older persons across South Africa, championing their rights, promoting active ageing, combating discrimination and abuse, and working tirelessly to ensure that every older person is able to age with dignity, respect, independence and security.