It was all singing and dancing as the elderly from different provinces arrived at the Germiston Stadium to partake in sports activities.
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This was part of the Active Ageing Programme which kick-started in Ekurhuleni on December 5.
The programme commenced with the National Older Persons Dialogue, which culminated in the National Golden Games in which the elderly participated in various sporting activities, including soccer for men and women, athletics, duck walk, brisk walk, ring the stick and more.
Minister Lindiwe Zulu participated in the duck walk activities at the Germiston Stadium on December 6 to officially kick-start the two-day Golden Games 2022.
Zulu said the National Golden Games are a flagship programme of the Department of Social Development, hosted annually in partnership with the Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation and the South African Older Persons Forum to promote an active ageing, healthy lifestyle, and social integration amongst the elderly people.
“The most important message that I would like to send to everybody including the officials from all the provinces, is that we have the most important citizens of our country who came to one place to share ideas, and how they maintain a healthy lifestyle daily,” said Zulu.
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She also wished the audience protection and safety during the Christmas festivities.
”Older persons, who are custodians of our history and culture joined together in song and dance and participate in sporting codes such as rugby ball throw.”
Justice Nkambule from Kwa-Thema, representing the Gauteng Older Persons Forum (GOPF), defended his championship for the fourth time in a row in the duck walk category.
The 73-year-old said he jogs twice a day to maintain a healthy lifestyle adding that he had to prepare himself mentally and physically before the event.
He said it is equally important for elders as it is for any person to be physically active and partake in exercises to prolong their quality of life.
“I get upset seeing young people and elders roaming the streets abusing alcohol and drugs. I would like to see more people in the streets jogging,” said Nkambule.
Nkambule is also a committee member of the Kwa-Thema Old Age Home Health Post. In the afternoon he diverts his energy to his gardening duties, he then uses the proceeds from the garden to support the old age home.
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“We also distribute the vegetables to underprivileged individuals in the community and to the residents of the home,” said Nkambule, adding that he wishes to convey his condolences to friends and family on the passing of Monica Kolaone, who served as the centre manager.
“I was informed on December 6, that she has passed. She was a beautiful soul to be around. I know residents of the home will miss her dearly too and the community at large.”
Commenting on the atmosphere in the stadium he said it is beautiful to see older people coming together to mingle with those alike from different provinces.
Boasting about his winning streak the self-proclaimed duck walk world champion said he has no competition.
“I won four times in a row. Next year we are going to Mpumalanga and I would like to have some competition,” said Nkambule.
Chairperson of the GOPF Molebeli Mamatela said the Gauteng team has always performed great at the event.
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“The Gauteng team has always out-performed most teams in the competition holding firm position two or three.
“The reason behind this is that we are most privileged compared to other teams from disadvantaged backgrounds,” said Mamatela.
