The Department of Social Development, in partnership with the Department of Sports and Recreation, hosted the annual National Golden Games for senior citizens, at the Boksburg Stadium, in Ekurhuleni, on October 23 and 24.
The Golden Games promote active ageing and socialisation among the elderly and are held in line with the International Madrid Plan of Action on Ageing, which encourages new approaches to ageing policies and programmes in order to promote a society for all ages.
Since 2011, the National Golden Games are held at the same time as the South African Older Persons Forum (SAOPF) National Conference.
The SAOPF is a national forum dedicated to advocating for the rights of older persons by highlighting their challenges and generating a voice on key issues affecting them.
It lobbies all relevant stakeholders, including government, on issues of concern to senior citizens.
The combination of the two ensures that the Forum has the platform to recruit new members.
It also presents an opportunity for older persons to learn about the forum and how it can benefit them.
The SAOPF National Conference took place on October 22, at the Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre, Boksburg.
During the Golden Games, older persons from all nine provinces display their talents in sport, indigenous games and fun games, and showcase traditional or cultural activities.
The games start at a local level, then graduate to district and provincial levels and culminate in the National Golden Games.
“Only those who allow themselves to age, will age,” said the spokesman of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, Sam Modiba.
“Anyone who attended the National Golden Games at the Boksburg Stadium can bear testament to that statement”.
Senior citizens aged 60 upwards accomplished things that some youngsters would not, all in the name of “active ageing”.
Brief breakdown of the fun fest at the Golden Games:
- The duck walk (contestants had to make their way to the finish line with a ball in between their legs and another ball on their head).
- Passing the ball (participants stood in single file in their different provinces and they had to pass the ball above their heads, using their hands, to one another).
- Dress-up (contestants had to dress up as fast as they could and then run to the finish line).
- Relays.
- Soccer match: final.
