GQEBERHA WOMEN’S CLUB DAZZLES AT GOLDEN GAMES CLOSING CEREMONY

By Lesego Ranchu

• Despite the rain, the dancers dazzled during the closing ceremony of the 19th Active Ageing Programme held in the North West this week, between 18 – 20 February 2025.
• A team member from the Eastern Cape Afrikaanse Christelike Vrouevereniging, Veronica Wilskid, won the individual dance contest.
• The 17-member team from Algoa Park and Govan Mbeki in Gqeberha showed their dance skills performing the pata pata during the closing ceremony.

The Eastern Cape Afrikaanse Christelike Vrouevereniging from Algoa Park and Govan Mbeki in Gqeberha dazzled with their pata pata line dance during the closing ceremony of the Golden Games in Rustenburg.

Seventeen of their 30 members were present at the Golden Games, part of the 2025 National Active Ageing Programme that took place in Rustenburg, North West, from 18 – 20 February 2025, to showcase their various skills and talents.

Team member Veronica Wilskid won the individual dancing competition against competitors from the other provinces.

The 68-year-old widow, who has 12 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren, is very active. “I am an avid runner. I love exercising, dancing and I drink a lot of water every day. I believe these things keep me young” she says.

This year’s games were her first and she says they have been a wonderful experience with her team members. She hopes to return to compete again in the near future.

Although the persistent rainy weather made it impossible to showcase the outdoor sports disciplines, the cultural events made up for the disappointment.

“The pata pata dance, like several other dances, is a traditional dance that brings all the different in cultures together.” said Wilskid.