Golden couple to represent province again
The Golden Games are a tool used by government to enhance the quality of life for senior citizens, to promote active ageing among senior citizens.
Meet the golden couple of Golden Games in Mpumalanga – Izak and Marietjie Berrange, both 71.
The husband and wife duo have been part of the Golden Games setup since its inception in 2005 and they do not show any signs of slowing down. Once again, this year they joined more than 150 senior citizens from all corners of Mpumalanga in fighting for places in the team to represent the province at the National Golden Games in Boksburg from October 21 to 25.
Izak and Marietjie are permanent features and heartbeat of jukskei and they have dominated the code for the past eight years from local to national levels. “Enjoy what you are doing and the rest will follow into place,” they explained their longevity in jukskei.
As expected, they made Team Mpumalanga with flying colours by winning gold medals in the 70 plus men and women categories during the provincial selections, which were held at Ingwenyama Lodge on October 1. They had the following to say about making the team: “We love being part of the Golden Games as it affords us an opportunity to represent the province.” As per usual, they will be going for glory, having won gold in recent tournaments. “We are going to make Mpumalanga proud,” said Izak.
The Golden Games are a tool used by government to enhance the quality of life for senior citizens, to promote active ageing among senior citizens by participating in sport and recreational activities such as duck walk, dress up, passing the ball, 100m run, 200m run, 400m run, 500m run, 800m run, 4x 100m relay, rugby ball throw, jukskei, ring the stick, ball pass and kick, ball relay, goal shooting, pegging washing pegs and soccer (men’s only).
Golden Games are not the only recreational activity the Berranges are involved in. Izak is chairman and Marietjie secretary of the Platorand Angling Club in Belfast. They are also involved with Indigenous Games where he is the coach and she is the technical official.
With the two at the helm of jukskei, the province has become a powerhouse of the sport and according to Izak, he has already identified youngsters to usurp the mettle when he finally retires.
The complete Team Mpumalanga is as follows: Mathew Ngwenya (800m, males, 60 to 69), Selina Nkosi (800m, female, 60 to 69), Phillip Mabena (200m, male, 60 to 69), Jimmy Mina (200m, male, 70+), Priscilla Mkhabela (200m, females, 60 to 69), Nomasoja Mathonsi (200m, female, 70+), Ntombizodwa Mkhashani (400m, female, 60 to 69), Jane Mbovu-Ngomane (400m, female, 70+), Nkomazi Vilakazi (400m, males, 70+), Mbuthi Zulu (400m, female, 60 to 69), Winnie Masinga (500m brisk walk, female, 60 to 69), Lesia Khaba (500m brisk walk, female, 70+), Ronald Forbes (500m brisk walk, male, 70+), Jabulani Themba (500m brisk walk, male, 60 to 69), Job Mkhwanazi (100m, male, 60 to 69), John Mthimunye (100m, male, 70+), Engelinah Ndlovu (100m, female, 60 to 69), Thelma Lamola (100m, female, 70+), Petros Ngwenya (duck walk male), Bessie Mlangeni (dress up), Samaria Hlongwane (jukskei, female, 60 to 69), Molefe Mofokeng (jukskei, male, 60 to
