Close to a hundred grannies from Thokoza braved a chilly winter morning to celebrate Women’s Month with a spirited 4km Fun Walk aimed at promoting healthy living and active ageing.
The event, themed “Ageing Gracefully for the Elderly”, was hosted by the City of Ekurhuleni’s MMC for Community Services, Cllr Bridget Thusi, in collaboration with the Sukuma Mbokodo Support Group.
From the moment they gathered at Kathorus Welfare in Yende Street, the energy was infectious. Dressed in sports gear, sunhats and carrying water bottles, the grannies warmed up with light exercises before hitting the route – Yende Street, down Nkakhi Street, onto Mokoena Street – and returning to their starting point. Their pace was so quick that one could easily mistake them for a group of teenagers.
Safety was paramount, with Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) officers leading the way, Community Policing Forum members and volunteers keeping watch, and an ambulance on standby. All participants completed the walk without incident.
Eighty-one-year-old Ester Tshabalala told African Times she felt “fresh” after the walk.
“I kept going because I was motivated to finish what I started. Activities like these make me happy – they keep my body going instead of sitting at home feeling sickly,” she said.
Mother of six, grandmother to 11 and great-grandmother to four, Tshabalala urged her peers to stay active to ward off illness.
Christina Sebiloane, a fitness enthusiast who helps the group with aerobics, applauded their spirit. “It was fun to see them walking and exercising. I hope they make it a daily habit,” she said.
Sukuma Mbokodo founder Dizzy Mbuli described the event as a success. “It’s healthy for the elderly to keep fit – it improves their lives. We host weekly sessions at Kathorus Welfare so they aren’t stuck at home bored and isolated,” she explained.
Cllr Thusi said the initiative was part of building community connections.
“We came to Thokoza in honour of Women’s Month to celebrate our elderly, who are ageing gracefully. You won’t believe how fast they were – they even left me behind!” she laughed.
She praised Mbuli’s dedication, encouraging residents with similar ideas to work with the city to create more programmes for the elderly.
The crowd included many young supporters who came to cheer on the participants.
Sukuma Mbokodo, which made international headlines earlier this year for hosting a beauty pageant for grannies, is already planning a massive Heritage Day celebration in September.
African Times will keep readers updated on the group’s next big event – because in Thokoza, these grannies are proving age is just a number.
