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On Thursday 25 July, 200 senior members of the Beluluane community in Boane District, Maputo Province attended the third Panela Aberta event hosted by Beluluane Industrial Park. The day of celebrations took place at the Centre for the Elderly (Proidoso) and included an educational information session on health care for the elderly, presented by Carmen Zavale, Director of the Beluluane Health Centre.

Beluluane Industrial Park Deputy General Manager, Onório Manuel, praised the elderly and thanked them for playing an important role in the Boane community. He explained that the Panela Aberta forms part of the park’s Sustainable Development Goals to ensure a healthy life and promote well-being for all. “We committed to a better future for our community. The park is growing and there will be more job opportunities available for your children and grandchildren,” he said. Manuel stated that the park will employ over 1000 young people in the next year, emphasisig that they hope to serve the local community first.

Also present at the event was Ana Maria Sitóe, Director of Planning and Social Action, who represented the Government of Maputo province. Sitóe praised Beluluane Industrial Park for this initiative and said that its support is a true sign that the community of Boane is not alone in their fight for the rights of the youth and elderly, as well as society at large. She furthermore used the opportunity to appeal to the elderly to be patient and said that the Government is making efforts to support them through the distribution of old-age pensions.

“In Maputo province alone, we have been supporting over 14 000 elderly people. We wish to recognise the fact that we are here today because of the work you have done. We would not be directors and doctors if you had not raised us,” she commented. Sitóe remarked that many elderly today remain the victims of abuse, not only from criminals but even their own families. “We are prepared to defend you and bring the guilty to justice,” she said.

The event was also attended by local district leaders, members of the Provincial Government of Maputo, Beluluane Local Police Commander and the Beluluane Industrial Park Management Team.