COLOURFUL CELEBRATIONS MARK START OF NATIONAL ACTIVE AGEING PROGRAMME

By Precious Mupenzi

• Over 1500 older persons from various provinces gathered at Hoerskool Nelspruit for the National Active Ageing Programme (Golden Games), showcasing their traditional attire.
• The two-day event, themed “Leaving No One Behind During the Decade of Healthy Ageing,” focuses on individuals aged 60 and above and features recreational sports, exercises, music, and cultural activities.
• Led by Provincial Chairperson Jeremia Mdlalose, the KwaZulu-Natal team made a vibrant entrance, clad in Zulu traditional attire and expressing their determination to win the competition for the seventh consecutive year.

Hoerskool Nelspruit was a place to be as more than 1500 older persons from different provinces turned up in their classic traditional outfits for the much-awaited National Active Ageing Programme (Golden Games).

The two-day programme held under the theme: “Leaving No One Behind During the Decade of Healthy Ageing” targets older persons that are 60 years and above.

The day kicked off with music and presentations from various provinces. The national games are hosted by the Department of Social Development, in collaboration with the Mpumalanga Department of Social Department, Department of Health, Department of Sports, Arts and Culture.

The highly anticipated and the biggest event in the older person’s calendar is characterised by recreational sports, physical exercises, music and cultural activities.

The grand entrance of the KwaZulu Natal Team led by Provincial Chairperson of Senior Citizens, Mr Jeremia Mdlalose, set a tone and made an impression.

Dressed in Zulu traditional attires and singing to their loudest voices and taking the room to a stand “suyengangeni, ngiyakwesaba” is a song that is commonly sung by amabutho on various occasions to signify unity, victory and celebration. It was no surprised when the KZN team sang this war song as they are the champions.

Beaming with joy, Jeremia Mdlalose said: “We are here to win it for the 7^th time. We have been taking first place for the last 6 years. As a Chairperson leading 250 delegates we have made it clear that forward we go and we will push until the end.”

A former South African Police Service (SAPS) member hails from Mtubatuba, northern KwaZulu-Natal and prides himself on serving the government of South Africa and witnessing the transition to democracy.

“I  served 24 years, started with SAP, moved to ZP and later SAPS. We should be proud of how far we have come over the past 30 years. We are here today as older people to amplify our voices on the issues affecting us, and it is even more significant as we are hosting this event on Human Rights Day. This is a testament that our government cares particularly in the context of prioritising the needs and voices of older persons.

He went on to express his excitement for being part of the programme, and for being nominated as the Chairperson for KwaZulu-Natal recently.

“I am very excited and honoured to be trusted with the mandate to lead the province and to be the voice of the older persons. The rights of older persons are human rights too.

Mdlalose is a life member of the South African Football Association in KZN and is a proud father of 15 children.