A fun filled occasion at Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni came alive on Thursday as more than 150 older persons sang and danced to Haka Matorokisi, which is a popular song by music duo, Makhadzi and DJ Call Me.
The Gauteng Department of Social Development hosted a congratulatory lunch for golden oldies for their hard-rock sporting display at this year's National Golden Games that took place at Port Elizabeth in October.
"For someone who grew up 'noGogo', I have greater appreciation for the work that they do in taking care of the younger generation."
These were the words echoed by Gauteng MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation (SACR) Mbali Hlophe who said older persons are a pillar of any society.
She said the Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) is proud and applauds all those who participated and raised the flag at the national games.
"It is unfortunate that myself and the late MEC Thuliswa Nkabinde-Khawe could not attend the games due to exco commitments," said MEC Hlophe.
"As the department (SACR), we want to integrate older persons in our Born to Read Programme. We run this programme in all the libraries in the province where we encourage young mothers to read for their children."
"We want to include our senior citizens so that they can read 'intsomi' to the younger generation," said the MEC stating that older persons must continue to read folktales to the children.
"It is very important to invest in the wellbeing of our older persons. Some of you are great guardians to grandkids, most of whom their parents are busy and others deceased," she added.
MEC Hlophe together with Social Development HOD Thembeni Mhlongo handed gifts as a token of appreciation and handed gold medals for the Gogo's asoccer team that scooped first position in Port Elizabeth.