NATIONAL GAMES ADVANCE THE HEALTH AND RIGHTS OF OLDER PERSONS

By Lesego Ranchu

• The 1 700 participants at the 24/25 National Active Ageing event in Rustenburg, North West, all demonstrate that they may be retired, but they are by no means tired.
• Day one saw the participants from all nine provinces take part in a dialogue on a range of issues pertinent to older persons.
• “It is initiatives such as the Active Ageing Programme that keeps the elderly young and youthful,” according to the Acting Director General of the Department of Social Development, Peter Netshipale.

Retired but not tired …. These are the sentiments of the older persons gathered at the National Active Ageing and Golden Games underway at the Civic Centre in Rustenburg, North West Province.

On the opening day of the event organised by the Department of Social Development, 18 February 2025, 1 700 national participants took part in national dialogues tackling an array of older person-related issues including ill-treatment, issuing of title deeds, and the funding of non-profit organisations providing services to elder persons.

In the audience to hear them out were various government officials who are working together to strengthen the older person sector, including the Department of Health, who supports the wellbeing of older persons, and the South Africa Police Services, who protect and safeguard the elderly.

MECs from the Eastern Cape and Limpopo attended to give their support to their delegations.

The Department of Social Development is steadfast and resolute on continuing to support and advance the health and rights of the older person sector.

“Our elderly are living longer and surpassing other regions and countries,” said the Acting Director General of the Department of Social Development, Peter Netshipale.

“It is initiatives such as the Active Ageing Programme that keeps the elderly young and youthful. We love them, we adore them, and we are intentional about keeping them rejuvenated and motivated,” he said.

Activeness helps with preventative illnesses as well for a longer life, Netshipale noted.

He also encouraged the inclusion of the elderly in economic empowerment initiatives, stating that they must not be left behind as they are capable. 

Under the sub-theme “No one is left behind”, the provincial teams will tomorrow take part in the Golden Games once they have undergone health checks due to the demanding nature of the activities.

Yesterday, 18 February 2025, was the turn of the national choirs to showcase their talent in song and praise during a musical performance.

Through the main theme of the 22/25 National Active Ageing Programme – “Embracing Vitality: Empowering Older Persons to Thrive in Their Communities” – the partners serving the sector will bring issues of importance to the older persons to the forefront and foster communities that embrace them.