By Gugu Mathebula
The Chief Albert Luthuli Municipality hosted the Golden Games for the Provincial Active Ageing Programme at Laerskool in Emanzana on November 07.
This programme, initiated by the Department of Social Development in September 2005 and later adopted by the government, aims to elevate the engagement of older persons in sports and recreational activities. Its objectives include improving the quality of life for older persons and raising awareness of their abilities in various activities.
This initiative also highlights the vulnerabilities faced by older individuals, including gender-based violence and other forms of abuse.
Participants in the event included older persons from Mpumalanga’s three district municipalities: Ehlanzeni, Nkangala, and Gert Sibande.
The games also served as a selection event for participants who will represent the province at the national level. The programme featured 17 different sporting codes, some specifically designed for older participants. These included male and female soccer, duck walk, dress up, passing the ball, juks kei, and ring the stick.
The MEC for Department Social Development, Brenda Moeketsi, also attended the event.Moeketsi acknowledged the role of the Department of Culture, Sport and Recreation and its support. She expressed appreciation for the large turnout of older participants, emphasising the importance of reporting any cases of abuse and being vocal about mistreatment.
Following the completion of the games, Moeketsi presented awards to the winners who will move on to represent the province at the upcoming annual National Active Ageing Programme in North West on a date that has yet to be confirmed.
Meanwhile Acting Executive Mayor MMC Snana Dhlamini who welcomed the attendees to the municipality, expressed her gratitude for hosting the event. She highlighted the significance of older persons’ participation in such programmes for health benefits, noting its role in reducing certain diseases and illnesses.
Dhlamini encouraged older persons to continue engaging in these activities and to invite others to join.
