NORTHDENE resident, 62-year-old Selvie Nadar, took part in the recent Golden Games held in Kimberley and won the 100m sprint race.
Nadar, together with three other participants made up the team representing KZN. Aimed at the improving the quality of life of older persons, the games are held under the theme Building a caring society for all ages and encourage senior citizens to lead healthier and more active lifestyles.
“I was honoured to have represented my province at the nationals. With this win, I am definitely motivated to participate again next year,” she said. Although the games didn’t put much emphasis on the competitiveness, to qualify, participants had to first make the area, district and then provincial qualifiers before being chosen to compete in the nationals.
Nadar first took part in the games in 2013 and only started keeping fit this year by walking in the morning daily.
“I walk everyday for an hour from 5am with a group of women from around the area. When you walk at 5am, you feel good for the rest of the day,” she said. She believes that everybody should get into fitness as it has great benefits.
October was Social Development month and was aimed at engaging communities, identifying their socio-economic challenges and putting together action plans to deal with these challenges. The Department of Social Development used this initiative as encouragement to older persons to live healthy lifestyles by participating in sport and other social activities.
The games are also a way to inspire all South Africans to provide support to older persons by helping them live healthier lives. Before this year’s games, the department held a conference, which was attended by Minister for Social Development, Bathabile Dlamini, which provided an opportunity for senior citizens to discuss various programmes dedicated to the well-being of older persons with, the department.
