MMADITSHELE CYNTHIA MERAFE: A LIFE OF JOY, HEALTH, AND INSPIRATION

By Lerato Digoamaje

• Seventy-year-old Mmaditshele Cynthia Merafe exemplifies the spirit of healthy ageing, resilience, and unwavering allegiance to the sentiment of community.
• As a participant in the 2025 Golden Games, Merafe views her active aging lifestyle as not just routines, but threads that tie her to a broader network of older persons.
• The Golden Games are about being part of something progressive, something that can improve your life in a meaningful way, she says.

For three days, the air hummed with the energy of triumph and esprit de corps in Rustenburg in the verdant heart of the Platinum Province.

The North West Province proudly hosted the annual national Active Ageing Programme, also known as the Golden Games, from 18 to 20 February 2025 – an initiative that takes pride in the vitality and resilience of the South African elderly community.

Among the many faces at this inspiring gathering, organised by the Department of Social Development, was 70-year-old Mmaditshele Cynthia Merafe, a participant who is exceptional in her commitment and whose presence exemplifies the spirit of healthy ageing, resilience, and unwavering allegiance to the sentiment of community.

For Merafe, the Golden Games are not just a sporting event; they are a manifestation of her journey towards maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle.

Now a resident of Lehurutshe in Welbedacht, a small town just outside Mahikeng, and representing the Lerato Service Club, Merafe’s Golden Games story began in a place where many might expect a slowing down of life, but instead she found a spark that fuels her every day.

“I joined the Lerato Service Club to keep myself healthy and fit,” she says, her voice rich with the wisdom only decades of experience can offer. “I wanted to keep up with the sentiment of healthy ageing, not only for my own well-being but with the sentiment of redefining the narrative that ageing can be a time of growth, joy, and active living.”

Since her retirement at 60, Merafe has gone on to embrace her role in the vibrant world of the Golden Games.

Strengthening lifelines

Her involvement is not merely about participating in sports, but about engaging in a community that promotes social and physical well-being.

“In the Lerato Service Club we have a wide range of activities, from aerobics to sports, and even needlework,” she explains.

“We also make weekly visits to frail older persons, checking up on their health and ensuring they are well cared for.”

For Merafe, these activities are not just routines, they are lifelines, threads that tie her to a broader network of older persons across communities in the Platinum Province, each determined to live life to the fullest.

Merafe’s participation in the Golden Games is also rooted in her desire to connect with the larger community of older South Africans who, like her, want to remain active and engaged in socio-economic activities that enhance their lives.

“The Golden Games are about seeing what other older persons are doing,” she says with pride. “It’s about being part of something progressive, something that can improve your life in a meaningful way.”

From taking part in the sporting events to interacting with fellow participants, Merafe finds that these games offer much more than just competition – they offer connection, empowerment, and a true sense of belonging and community interconnectivity.

Lifelong learning and growth

Born and raised in Soweto, the heart of South Africa, Merafe’s education and professional journey laid the foundation for her current pursuits.

She attended Thabang Lower Primary in Dobsonville, before moving on to Boikanyo Higher Primary and completing her studies at George Khoza Secondary School.

With a thirst for knowledge, she continued her education through commercial courses at a higher learning institution.

Despite stepping away from formal work at the age of 60, her enthusiasm for learning, growth, and service never diminished.

“I don’t look my age at all,” Merafe says with a hearty laugh, her eyes twinkling.

“Being part of these games, and the club, has brought so much joy into my life. I feel younger, and I want the youth to enjoy their lives to the fullest, just as I do.”

Her message is clear: age is merely a number.

By embracing the principles of healthy living, regular physical activity, and active engagement in her community, Merafe has proven that one cannot only defy the typical expectations of ageing but also thrive in the process.

The national Golden Games, which have become a fixture on the South African public service calendar, have long been celebrated for their ability to uplift and empower the elderly community of South Africa, providing them with an opportunity to showcase their talents, physical prowess, and mental fortitude.

For Merafe, the games have been a platform where age is not a barrier, but a badge of honour. “I want to live to 100,” she says, with the kind of determination that only someone with her zest for life can muster.

“Every year I participate, I feel more and more that I can keep going. And that’s what I wish for everyone, old or young, to realise it’s never too late to start living healthily, to stay fit, and to keep enjoying life.”

A celebration of identity

Her melodic voice has been a hallmark of the North West’s choral music scene, with a storied history of performances that transcend mere entertainment.

As a proud member of the Le Rat O Service Club, she has harmonised her way through district and national levels of the Golden Games, showcasing the rich tapestry of Setswana music and culture.

Her participation is more than just a pastime; it’s an ode to her heritage, a celebration of her identity as a Setswana woman, and a testament to the enduring power of traditional music. 

With every performance, she weaves a musical narrative that not only echoes her pride but also forges a sense of belonging to her community. Her voice, a masterful blend of tradition and passion, continues to inspire and uplift, leaving an indelible mark on all who are fortunate enough to experience it.

Shifting the narrative

Beyond the games, the importance of these activities resonates deeply in South Africa’s broader socio-economic context.

Older persons like Merafe are often seen as figures who require care, rather than individuals capable of contributing actively to society.

Yet, through initiatives like the Golden Games, the narrative is shifting. “It’s important for us as older people to show that we are still valuable, that we have wisdom and strength to offer,” Merafe notes.

“This is a time in life where we can give back to the community, share our stories, and live fully.”

The Golden Games are a reminder to South Africans of all ages that the possibilities of life are not confined to youth. They echo the message that healthy ageing is not a distant dream, but a tangible reality, achievable through action, community, and a bit of determination.

Merafe’s story is a testament to that very truth. Her ongoing journey reflects not just a personal victory, but a collective call to all to live vibrantly, no matter their age.

As the sun sets on another successful national Golden Games, Merafe, along with countless other participants, proves that no matter where one is in life, it is never too late to take part in something that brings joy, health, and a renewed sense of purpose.

For Mmaditshele Cynthia Merafe, the Golden Games are more than just an annually commemorated tribute but a celebration of life itself.