Hundreds of local seniors participated in the second annual Mitchells Plain Senior Fun Day held at Lentegeur Sports Field on Saturday 22 February.
Organised by Subcouncil 12 chair and Ward 116 councillor, Solomon Philander, the event included eight senior clubs from all over the area.
With games including egg and spoon and even a cook-off, the morning began with a mass Tae Bo session to help limber seniors up for the day.
“Before covid, the games happened within the province and then obviously the seniors said they wanted the games again and with the eight clubs we came together and planned this,” says Philander.
The games were supported for a second year by provincial minister for infrastructure Tertuis Simmers.
“Many people ask what is the minister of infrastructure of the province doing at the seniors games, well, it’s very important to understand that infrastructure plays a massive role in all of our lives, it brings people together, it unites people, but here we have an instance where you have a sub-council chair who’s also a ward councillor bringing together eight different clubs of senior people who actually want to still be active, be part of their community and that for me is important,” says Simmers.
“These are members of our community which some people tend to forget, yet they have so much experience and knowledge and also passion still for their communities.”
Giving back
Simmers adds this knowledge and open hearts were evident and integral during the pandemic, and says more must be done with all three spheres of government to include and tap into the seniors of our communities.
Philander says while the races were competitive, the day was about having fun.
“We started with the procession with the banner, being proud of what they are doing and keeping the young old people busy and active within the community and this is part of active ageing,” he says.
Plans are already in motion to have the event grow next year, including more clubs from the area.
Beatty Roberts from Leadwood Seniors Club who is three months shy of 80 years old was the life of the party ahead of the games. Dressed in a coon suit, she and her fellow club mates danced along to the beats.
“I am in the community and I do a lot of community work. I work and I walk a lot. I work with kids and I work with seniors. That is my passion, and no one can take that away from me,” she says. “I am excited because we had sports last year, but it was not as exciting as it is today.”
