GOGO NOLOKWE READY TO SHOWCASE TALENT AT UPCOMING NATIONAL GOLDEN GAMES

 By Phetoho Maja 

• Competitors over the age of 60 are gearing up to take part in the national Golden Games in Rustenburg, North West, from 17 to 21 February 2025.
• One such competitor is Gogo Nomonde Nolokwe, who will be leading the Ubuntu Queens soccer squad from Ivory Park, east of Johannesburg, into the interprovincial competition.
• The Golden Games promotes active ageing and socialisation amongst older persons and 64-year-old Nolokwe echoes the call for older persons to participate in active ageing activities.

Diski queen and captain of soccer squad Ubuntu Queens, Nomonde Nolokwe, is ready to face tough opponents  at the upcoming national Golden Games taking place in Rustenburg, North West, next week from 17 to 21 February 2025.

The Ubuntu Queens is a female soccer team for older persons based in Ivory Park.

The 64-year-old Nolokwe, affectionately known as ‘Ronaldo’ on the field, says she is proud to represent Gauteng, adding that their participation in different sporting codes at the games will be a victory for all senior citizens in the province.

Gogo Nolokwe is excited about the event. She wants to encourage older persons to participate in active ageing activities and use their social grant money to eat healthily.

“We play regularly during weekends; we participate in a league in Tshwane,” Gogo Nolokwe said, adding that the team trains three times a week.

“I believe the team is physically and mentally ready to showcase their talent, we have improved our skills on the pitch, tackling the ball and building stamina,” she said.

The Department of Social Development will host the annual national Golden Games for older persons in partnership with the Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation, the Department of Health, and the Older Persons Forum.

The Golden Games promotes active ageing and socialisation amongst older persons and take place per the International Madrid Plan of Action on Ageing, which encourages new approaches to ageing policies and programmes to promote a society for all ages.

During the games, older persons from all nine provinces will display their talents in various sports, indigenous games, and fun games, as well as showcasing traditional and cultural activities.

The national Golden Games is the culmination of a lengthy process that begins with competitions at a local level, then moves onto district and provincial levels, culminating with the grand finale of the national competition.