On Sunday, 16 February 2025, The KwaZulu Natal Premier Mr Thami Ntuli appointed officials from his office and The KwaZulu Natal Department of Sport, Arts and Culture to accompany and assist The Department of Social Development, led by Ms Mbali Shinga, at The National Golden Games that were taking place in North West, Rustenburg as of 18 to 21 February 2025.
The Golden Games is a program that falls under The Department of Social Development of which is a program that is in line with the vision and mission of The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, hence The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Sport, Arts and Culture felt compelled to support and assist its sister Department in this program.
KZN DSAC did not only support and assist provincially but also further assisted KZN DSD nationally as well. The Department provided The Team with accommodation to hold camp and to receive the official stamp of approval from The Premier during the send off that took place, in New Castle on the 16th of February 2025, and further provided The Team with apparel and technical officials for assistance.
The Team arrived in Rustenburg on the 17th of February 2025 where they were met with heavy rain, unfortunately the rain continued throughout the duration of The Games. On day 1 of which was on the 18th, the senior citizens partook in dialogue where each province had the opportunity to share their challenges and how they would want The Government to assist in overcoming those challenges, all this information was noted and to be reported back to legislature. The day ended with each province’s choir group serenading the crowd with 2 numbers they’d prepared, Team KZN had everyone on their feet as they not only prepared an opera number but had also prepared an ingoma number.
Due to the heavy rain, on day 2, the gogos and mkhulus were subjected to indoor activities where they did yoga with The North West MEC for Social Development, Ms Basetsana Danjtie, who spent the whole day with the gogos and mkhulus, listening to their challenges and further promoted the mission of The Golden Games program, which is to encourage active aging.
On the 3rd and final day, due to the rain proving to be a challenge for the games to commence as planned, it was then concluded that every province is a winner. This giving Team KZN an opportunity to rest from all that heavy lifting it’s been doing by being the reining champions for the past 7 consecutive years.
The gogos and mkhulus had a broader socializing platform and experience as this time around they weren’t on competing mode, this further allowing them to learn from each other and most especially make new friends.
For Mkhulu Zwelikude Bhengu, not only was it his first time qualifying for the games and being chosen to represent at National level but it was also his first time being in The North West Province.
“What made me even more happy is meeting other old people, people who are even way older than I am, people who are 70. It was really great meeting these people,” said Mkhulu Zwelikude Bhengu.