The North West Department of Social Development said it is pleased to have successfully hosted the two-day National Active Ageing Program for 2025 in Rustenburg, despite some rain disruptions.
The games are held in partnership with the Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, the Department of Health, and the Older Persons Forum.
The program saw more than 1 600 older persons 60 and above from across the country gathered under one roof at Rustenburg Civic Centre and took part in various sports activities.
The inclement weather conditions led to the cancellation of some of the outdoor activities such football, however the senior citizens were not discouraged.
This year’s games were held under the theme “Embracing Vitality: Empowering older persons to thrive in their communities.”
Speaking to Newsnote on Thursday on the final day of the activities, one of the participants Margaret Mathebule from Mpumalanga, said they used the opportunity to engage with their peers on different societal issues and encouraged a healthy living.
“This Golden Games are not only meant for travelling and socialising, but they’re also important because they keep us healthy as we exercise,” said Mathebule.
Another participant Alpheus Podi of Forum Ya Bagodi in Ngobi village in the Bojanala District Municipality encouraged other pensioners who are sitting at home and doing nothing to join the games for their benefit.
Closing the event on Thursday at Ben Marais Community Hall, the provincial MEC for Social Development Susana Dantjie handed over medal, trophies, and awards to the participants.