Alexandra gogos steps up with Vitality Give2Move’s shoe handover
Alexandra’s elderly residents lace up new sneakers, celebrating movement and community spirit in a lively Vitality Give2Move event.
Alexandra gogos radiated energy and defiance of age, and their dance moves stole the show at the Vitality Give2Move campaign’s latest shoe handover in Alexandra. Discovery Vitality, in partnership with Afrika Tikkun, brought its nationwide campaign to Phuthaditjaba Afrika Tikkun Centre on July 24, equipping active elderly people with running shoes.
This was the campaign’s second stop after their June 20th handover event at Wings of Life Centre in Diepsloot. The Alex gogos, stalwarts of local sports and wellness programmes, gathered in numbers as they were honoured for their relentless contribution to family, community, and well-being. Despite the huge focus on the elderly, the event also aimed to celebrate 10 youth runners in the community.
Speaking at the event, Tiyani Mohlaba, Afrika Tikkun’s Chief Operating Officer, said the event was not just about donating sneakers. “We are here to show care, dignity, and love for our elders. We honour you today because you have walked the path. Those feet, we honour them.”
Launched in February 2025 in partnership with the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, to collect 100 000 pairs of sports shoes, the Give2Move initiative has been rallying organisations, schools, and communities to donate new or gently worn shoes to help tackle barriers to physical activity in underserved communities.
“For people to be healthy, and for people to move, they might need shoes to do that. So, we have been collecting shoes, and it gives us such great pleasure to be here today, to be able to give you some of those shoes,” Dr Karen Johnson, Discovery Vitality head of strategic programmes and wellness, shared, further emphasising that movement has no age limit. “It is wonderful to be able to share shoes with you so that you can also have the joy of movement.”
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Alongside community leader Linda Twala, the partnership highlighted collective action. Mohlaba lauded the partnership and further expressed gratitude to Discovery. “We are grateful to Discovery because what you are doing is to make sure that the health of our elderly continues [improving].”
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