IN CONVERSATION WITH A GOLDEN GAMES PARTICIPANT FROM BONJANALA

By Centi Ngubane

• Former policewoman Getrude Nozipho Modise joined the active ageing programme immediately after retiring.
• She is now representing the North West in the 100m race at the Golden Games, part of the annual National Active Ageing Programme currently underway in Rustenburg in the North West province.
• For Modise, the programme provides benefits such as opportunities to interact with people from diverse backgrounds, keeping fit and healthy, and reducing the risk of stress-related illness.

Retired policewoman, Getrude Nozipho Modise, stopped for a chat ahead of her 100m race in the 2024/25 National Active Ageing Programme taking place in the Bojanala district in Rustenburg, North West, from 18 – 20 February 2025.

Modise, who is from the Bojanala district, spoke well of the active ageing programme, which aims to support senior citizens to stay active and to foster a sense of purpose and community.

Having joined the active ageing programme immediately after retiring, Modise points to a number of benefits of participating in the programme, including opportunities to interact with people from diverse backgrounds, keeping fit and healthy, and reducing the risk of stress-related illness.

Modise is a mother of three and a grandmother to two boys.

She is keen to see the programme succeed and suggests that the municipality needs to increase access to training facilities to older persons, improving transport and accommodation.

While she came to the games with people from the district, she was accommodated with people from other districts.

However, she is appreciative of being given the chance to take part in the games.