Zanzibar pension benefits reach 32,306 elderly

ZANZIBAR: ZANZIBAR’S social pension programme currently benefits 32,306 older persons, with each recipient receiving 50,000/- per month, the government has said.

The number of beneficiaries has increased from 28,650, according to Minister for Community Development, Elderly, Gender and Children, Anna Athanas Paul, who said the government was continuing to strengthen programmes aimed at improving the welfare and rights of older persons.

Ms Paul made the statement during a commemoration of the International Day of Older Persons at the Elderly Hall in Sebleni, Zanzibar.

She said older persons remained an important part of families and communities because of their contribution to child upbringing, advice and national development.

“Age should not be a reason to exclude older persons or make them feel that they no longer have a contribution to make to society,” she said.

Ms Paul said older persons possessed valuable knowledge, wisdom, experience, traditions, history and moral values that could benefit younger generations.

She said their experience could be used in mentoring young people, resolving conflicts, preserving traditions and strengthening social cohesion, urging communities to involve older persons in decisions and activities affecting their lives.

The minister said the government had also produced 31,271 special identification cards for older persons in Unguja and Pemba to facilitate their identification and access to social services.

She said older persons living in designated homes at Sebleni and Welezo in Unguja and Limbani in Pemba were receiving food, accommodation, medical care, clothing and pocket money.

Two buildings and a hall at Sebleni have been completed, while construction and improvement works at Limbani and Welezo are continuing, she said.

Ms Paul also said 399 older persons’ councils had been established at Shehia and district levels across Zanzibar, with the government preparing guidelines to strengthen their operations from the local to national level.

She urged communities to equip older persons with digital skills, including the use of smartphones, banking services and electronic payment systems, saying technology should make access to services easier rather than become a barrier. The minister condemned abuse, discrimination, neglect and humiliation of older persons, including unfounded accusations linking them to witchcraft, warning that such beliefs could put their lives at risk.

Ministry Principal Secretary Abeida Rashid Abdalla said protecting and improving the welfare of older persons was a collective responsibility involving government and society.