Dept of Social Development hosts Golden Games at Germiston Stadium
Participants competed in a variety of sports, including throwing rugby balls, goal shooting, jukskei, soccer for both men and women, duck walk, and brisk walking.
The Gauteng Department of Social Development, in collaboration with the Gauteng Health Department and the Department of Sport, Arts, Culture, and Recreation, hosted the Regional Golden Games at Germiston Stadium on July 24.
The event aimed to encourage seniors aged 60 and older to engage in recreational activities to stay fit and healthy, thereby reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.
Participants competed in a variety of sports, including throwing rugby balls, goal shooting, jukskei, soccer for both men and women, duck walk, and brisk walking.
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Gustaff Tselapedi, assistant director of the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture, and Recreation, announced his retirement in two months during the event’s opening parade.
He passed the baton to his successor, Resoketse Maleswena. Despite living in the Johannesburg metro area, Tselapedi has dedicated the last seven years to working with clubs in the Ekurhuleni district.
He humorously mentioned that upon his official retirement, he would soon be eligible to participate in the regional games.
Tebogo Matlaba of the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture, and Recreation explained that staff members visit local clubs once a week to ensure the implementation and maintenance of recreational programmes.
“After that, we invite them to the regional competitions. They compete all the way to the national level,” said Matlaba.
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Clr Ntuthuzelo Mpambani noted that the Dukuthole Older Persons Service Centre, one of the participating clubs, is located in his ward in Dukathole.
“It is motivating to watch elders engage in physical activities.
“They also participate in sewing and agriculture projects, each fostering social cohesiveness among the group,” Mpambani said.
“My job during the games was to greet the players as they came into my ward, but I also wanted to thank every player for their bravery in setting an example and motivating the next generation. The idea is to grow older while staying active, and they are doing just that,” Mpambani said.
