GOLDEN GAMES OPEN IN MANGAUNG AS MINISTER PULE CALLS FOR OLDER PERSONS TO BE SEEN, VALUED AND PROTECTED

By DSD writer

• Minister of Social Development Ms Dina Pule officially opened the 2026 National Active Ageing Programme, comprising the National Golden Games and the Older Persons Choir Festival, at Dr Petrus Rantlai Molemela Stadium in Mangaung, Free State, on Friday, 30 October 2026.
• The Minister called for stronger implementation of the Older Persons Act 13 of 2006, including amendments to address emerging challenges, and intensified efforts by the Department of Social Development (DSD), its partners and communities to prevent elder abuse.
• Municipalities were urged to sustain active-ageing programmes throughout the year, while older persons were encouraged to vote in the Local Government Elections (LGE) on Wednesday, 4 November 2026.

Older persons from all nine provinces filled Dr Petrus Rantlai Molemela Stadium in Rocklands, Mangaung, on Friday, 30 October 2026, as the Minister of Social Development, Ms Dina Pule, officially declared the 2026 National Golden Games and Older Persons Choir Festival open.

Held under the theme “Golden Years: See Our Value; Golden Opportunities: Promote Our Rights”, the national gathering brought together athletes, choir members, provincial delegations, government leaders and partners to celebrate the contribution of older persons to South Africa.

Addressing participants, Minister Pule said their presence showed that ageing does not mark the end of ambition, creativity or the desire to contribute to society.
“You are the heart and soul of this programme,” she said.

The Minister said older persons had contributed immensely to the struggle for democracy, raised generations and preserved the country’s cultural heritage. She called on society to stop viewing them merely as recipients of social assistance.

“They are active citizens, custodians of knowledge, community leaders, mentors, artists, athletes and contributors to our economy and social development,” she said.

Minister Pule stressed that protecting older persons is a constitutional responsibility, not an act of charity. She said the Older Persons Act provides an important framework, but that legislation alone is not enough without collaboration across government, civil society, families and communities.

“We cannot claim to uphold the dignity of older persons while turning a blind eye to elder abuse, social isolation, inadequate care or exclusion from community life,” she said.

Describing the National Active Ageing Programme as one of the DSD’s flagship initiatives, the Minister said the Golden Games promote physical activity, mental well-being and a sense of belonging. She noted that healthy ageing is not simply about living longer, but about enabling people to keep doing the things they value.

She urged municipalities and local structures to keep active-ageing initiatives going beyond the annual Games, and called for stronger intergenerational solidarity so that young people learn from the wisdom and experience of their elders.

The Minister also highlighted South Africa’s commitments under the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, the African Union Protocol on the Rights of Older Persons in Africa and the United Nations Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021–2030).

A call to vote

Minister Pule encouraged all eligible senior citizens to take part in the Local Government Elections on Wednesday, 4 November 2026. “Your voices matter, your participation matters,” she said.

She thanked the Free State Provincial Government, the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, the Department of Health, municipalities, the South African Older Persons Forum, sponsors, volunteers and families for making the Games possible.

“The value of a person does not diminish with age, and the responsibility to uphold their rights does not expire with time,” the Minister said, before wishing participants a safe, rewarding and enjoyable experience.