TLM hosts Golden Games

By Joshua Motsomane

THABAZIMBI – Thaba Park was buzzing with hundreds of elderly people and athletes on Thursday 27 June when Thabazimbi Local Municipality hosted the Waterberg District Golden Games 2013.

All local municipalities of Waterberg participated in the event. The elderly participated in sporting codes such as marathon, brisk walk, yoke-pin, relay, rugby ball throw, goal shooting, pegging the washing pegs, duck walk, passing the ball and kick. The age group was from 60-70 years.

“It is my pleasure to welcome you all to this year’s District Golden Games,” said Mayor Patricia Mosito during her welcome address. “Although a time of festivity, the golden games must remind us of our collective responsibility to create an environment which accommodates the needs of our elderly as the most valuable assets our Municipalities and Waterberg District possesses,” she added.

“It would be unfair to open these games without mentioning the resilience and character shown by our elders during the most difficult years in our country’s history. Their struggle against colonialism and apartheid will forever be engraved in our minds,” said the chairperson of Special Projects in the Waterberg District Municipality, Cllr MMA Mogotsi.

She further said that elderly people grew up in a deeply divided and oppressive society where injustice was entrenched and opportunities for progress were reserved for the few. “You did not surrender and continually fought in the interest of building a new and better South Africa which belongs to all who live in it,” she added.

She continued, “You used the little resources that were available to you wisely to educate your children. Many of our country’s productive professionals today – teachers, lawyers, doctors, engineers and many other – work because of your blood, sweat and tears”.

According to Mogotsi, our elderly are an asset and they want to encourage community members not to turn a blind eye when they see the abuse of elderly people by cowards. Contact the police and report these offenders, so that the communities can be a safer place for all.

“In recognition of their valuable contribution to society and the need to keep older persons amongst us as long as possible, the Waterberg District Municipalities in conjunction with Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has organised the Golden Games to encourage wellness among our elders.

“To our elderly sports stars, enjoy the games and don’t forget to play according to the rules,” concluded Cllr Mogotsi.

Team Thabazimbi elderly with Mayor Patricia Mosito during the District Golden Games 2013.