SEBOKENG – Hundreds of Zone 12 residents came out to enjoy their Freedom Day in style.
Elderly people, the middle-aged, and the young generation braved the scorching sun on Thursday, April 27, as they played all sorts of old games in their township.
Playing games such as dibeke, kho-kho, kgati diketo, intonga, jukskei, and morabaraba among many others, this is how the residents in Sebokeng spent their day.
The kasi was abuzz with screams, and running around, as scores partook in the games of their choice.
Speaking to Sedibeng Ster, Bafana ‘Nono’ Thingane, a member of the Community Solidarity Association and the organizer of the games said he wanted to take the elders back to their roots.
“As today marks Freedom Day, I saw it befitting to organize the games to bring together the elderly people of our community as to take them back to their roots. The games are also a form of exercising as the elderly and the disabled will be partaking in these activities,” he said.
“There are a number of games such as Morabaraba, dibeke, chess, and many more that are played today,” he added.
Thingane said things took a different turn as many young people also joined in on the fun games.
“When the idea started, it was for the elderly and the disabled, but many other young people also came out to join the games. This played a vital role in making sure these young stars are moved away from loitering in Somalian shops and doing nothing about their lives,” he said.
Thingane said the games were a major success for their community and they happy to have made Freedom Day special.
“I would like to thank everyone who was part of the organizing and those who contributed in making this day happen. I would also like to thank the residents of Sebokeng, Zone 12 as a whole for making this day happen,” he said.
Nomalanga Majola (54), mother to one and grandmother to three said “we are happy to be part of these games. We are part of an NPO that promotes healthy living for the elderly, and seeing these games happening in our community makes us happy. We hope these games don’t end today, but continue consistently”.
Gift Mndandile (26) said the games play a vital role in making sure it takes many young people from the streets.
“We only seeing such games organized for other townships rather than our own. This is a good initiative in redirecting the focus of young people in our community. We thank Mr T for the games and glad that everyone came out in their numbers to join,” he said.
