About 200 pensioners from around Buffalo City Metro yesterday received sport kits to wear at the Golden Games to be held in the province next month.
Many of them had participated in the Games without kits.
The Golden Games project forms part of a broader plan by the department of social development to promote an active lifestyle among the elderly.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch after receiving her new kit, pensioner Nontsikelelo Tom, 68, said participating in the games keeps the elderly away from gossip and drinking alcohol in their communities.
“Participating in this project keeps us busy as opposed to doing all sorts of things back in our communities like gossiping and drinking.”
Social development district director Afika Siziba outlined the aim of the project: “This project targets older persons who are 60 years and older from communities across the country and across races.”
She said the programme also targeted people from rural areas, informal settlements and disadvantaged communities.
“We encourage our elderly people to participate in these games and those who do, to share with their peers,” said Siziba.
The department described this year as “momentous”, yielding many achievements.
BCM mayor Alfred Mtsi expressed his “excitement” about the concept and his pride on the project’s “capability to become a world concept”.
“I am very happy with this particular project because it is a world-acclaimed concept and we grew up participating in these kind of gaming activities but we never knew the value that it had at the time,” said Mtsi.
Mtsi quoted the Older Persons Act of 2006 that says “elderly people should not be isolated and deprived in any way and should have access to opportunities that promote optimal levels of social, physical, mental and emotional well-being”.
A total of 125 tracksuits were handed over to the elderly.
BCM won first place in 2013 and 2014 in the district Golden Games and second place in 2015. — qaqambam@dispatch.co.za
Pensioners gear up for Games
Many of them had participated in the Games without kits.
The Golden Games project forms part of a broader plan by the department of social development to promote an active lifestyle among the elderly.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch after receiving her new kit, pensioner Nontsikelelo Tom, 68, said participating in the games keeps the elderly away from gossip and drinking alcohol in their communities.
“Participating in this project keeps us busy as opposed to doing all sorts of things back in our communities like gossiping and drinking.”
Social development district director Afika Siziba outlined the aim of the project: “This project targets older persons who are 60 years and older from communities across the country and across races.”
She said the programme also targeted people from rural areas, informal settlements and disadvantaged communities.
“We encourage our elderly people to participate in these games and those who do, to share with their peers,” said Siziba.
The department described this year as “momentous”, yielding many achievements.
BCM mayor Alfred Mtsi expressed his “excitement” about the concept and his pride on the project’s “capability to become a world concept”.
“I am very happy with this particular project because it is a world-acclaimed concept and we grew up participating in these kind of gaming activities but we never knew the value that it had at the time,” said Mtsi.
Mtsi quoted the Older Persons Act of 2006 that says “elderly people should not be isolated and deprived in any way and should have access to opportunities that promote optimal levels of social, physical, mental and emotional well-being”.
A total of 125 tracksuits were handed over to the elderly.
BCM won first place in 2013 and 2014 in the district Golden Games and second place in 2015. — qaqambam@dispatch.co.za
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos