Team Limpopo in the Top Three at the National Active Ageing Programme (Golden Games)
Calls are growing louder for the golden games to assume their place in the national sporting calendar.
Being shoved into a smaller corner, where their strategic influence and benefits are missed is an injustice said the older persons who were participating in the 2023/24 financial year active ageing programme.
Agreeing with the older persons, Minister of Social Development, Ms Lindiwe Zulu said the fact that the country is showing that the lifespan of South Africans has increasing is an indication that this programme is bearing its intended purpose.
The games have consistently proven to have positive spin-offs in the lifestyle of older persons.
Reaching age 60 is often deemed a waiting period for the grave, but with improving health, owing to active lifestyle, it is now the grave that is waiting.
With brisk walk, running, football and a variety of other games defining the golden games festivities; behind the scenes, social development officials are hard at work crafting policies aimed at improving the overall living standards of the elderly.
Recently, the department of social development led by parliament completed the public hearings on the Older Persons Amendment Bill.
The bill seeks to ensure the protection of the rights of older persons, the promotion of their dignity, rights, wellbeing as well as their safety and security.
The department continues to call for older persons to remain active on societal matters, thereby imparting skills and knowledge to the young.
They remain the cornerstone of the country and still look after orphaned and vulnerable children on behalf of the state.
Closing a day after the national human rights day, this year’s games were befitting as they also entrenched the dignity of older persons.
Treating older persons regardless of the age, gender, racial or ethnic background is a perfect way to recognise their contribution and dignity.
The games play a pivotal role the on health system as they can reduce the burden of disease.
Sixty-year-old, Mr Michael Mathe from Bloemfontein, suggested that as part of taking Golden Games to another level, older persons must participate first in the regions and provinces.
This, Mr Mathe said could help improve the standard of the Golden Games which only take place each year, with provinces competing against each other.
Sixty three-year- old, Mr Thabo Molotjwa from North West Province said he was proud of what government has been doing for older persons.
His only wish was more sporting equipment and better sporting facilities in their communities.
Ms Eunice Milazi, 64-year-old from Phalaborwa, in Limpopo highlighted that as one of the older persons who is actively involved in the Golden Games, her wish was that older persons who reach the finals should be rewarded with something beyond trophies and medals.
“This can be in the form of a small cash, like R200 as a motivation for them to continue participating in various sports. I also think that as older persons, if we get more support and publicity through the media we can be assisted by government to compete with the SADC countries,” said Molotjwa.
The champions of the 23/24 golden games is KwaZulu-Natal and the 2024/25 games will be held in North West.
Older persons during the Golden Games.