WAKING IN COLD WEATHER SHOWS STRENGTH AND RESILIENCE – GAUTENG WALKER MKHULU MOLOKELE

By Phetoho Maja

• Eighty-four-year-old Phanuel Molokele is a spry and fit senior citizen, a participant in the 400m brisk walk.
• Molokele represented Gauteng at the recent National Active Ageing Programme held in the North West Province.
• The rainy weather that marked the event did not dampen Molokele’s spirits: “Waking up in cold weather like this resembles strength and resilience.”

Kagiso resident, 84-year-old Phanuel Molokele says healthy living is the main contributor to his fitness.

The senior citizen from the West Rand in Gauteng, recently took part in his third national Golden Games.

Despite the rainy weather that clouded the North West Province, the host of the 2025 National Active Ageing Programme, the Gauteng 400m brisk walker was eager to compete. “Waking up in cold weather like this resembles strength and resilience,” he said of the gloomy weather.

The brave and sprightly brisk walker was not always as spry as he is now.

A retired taxi driver and truck driver of the South African Breweries, Molokele was forced to retire after suffering minor injuries that made him unable to walk or feel his legs. 

His journey to recovery was bolstered by physiotherapists and he was able to defeat other health challenges as well.

Now, 26 years later, Molokele can take to the track and compete. 

The annual Active Ageing Programme sees older persons – the custodians of South Africa’s rich  history and culture – join together in song, aerobics, discussions, and sporting codes such as ring the stick, pass and kick the ball, and ball relay. 

Reflecting on the three-day event in the North West Province, Molokele thanked the Department of Social Development, the Department of Health, and the Department of Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation for working behind the scenes to ensure the important event on the calendar was a success. 

“Thank you for pulling through under very difficult situations,” he added.