The importance of taking good care of caring the province’s elderly was demonstrated again by the provincial government with the hosting of a major sporting event dedicated to the old.
The 4th edition of the annual Provincial Golden Games has been held at Arbor Park grounds in Newcastle in northern KwaZulu-Natal on 27 to 28 August 2013. Altogether 1 300 seniors from all the 11 district municipalities across the province enjoyed a total of three days of good hospitality care in the town when also taking into account the arrival and departure days.
The games are intended to promote active ageing to senior citizens and to create awareness about elderly abuse. Games on offer included athletics – track and field, football (males and females), indigenous games and a number of specially designed fun games. The disabled seniors on wheelchairs are also not left out.
The games were attended by among others the MEC for Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation, Mrs Ntombikayise Sibhidla-Saphetha who also officially opened the event. In her remarks the MEC indicated that the games were a clear indication of the government’s commitment to care for the senior citizens in whatever way.
The MEC shared testimonies by many of the senior citizens who have reaped health benefits such as stopping taking chronic medication, as a direct result of participating in sport.
At the conclusion of the games Ilembe emerged as overall winners. Last year’s champions, eThekwini came second and Uthungulu third. Ilembe’s sterling performance could be attributed to the many development initiatives taking place across the province as well as the incentives of a possibility of being selected to represent the province in national games in October in Gauteng.
As a new innovation, this year’s programme kicked off with participants and support staff marching with placards through the centre of the town of Newcastle to sensitise society against the end to the abuse of the elderly.
Further enquiries:
Mike Mthembu
Cell: 083 528 7911
E-mail: hlengiwe.dube@kzndsr.gov.za
Sandile Qwabe
Cell: 078 169 4063
E-mail: sandile.qwabe@kndsr.gov.za
