From tea and knitting to goals and glory: The rise of Ballito’s soccer granny!
Ballito's own galloping granny Managay Pillay was one of the grannies who jetted across the waters to take on the Mauritius Grannies at the St. François Xavier Stadium.
Some grannies obviously find knitting and gossip sessions over tea and biscuits boring.
They prefer robust action to keep mind and body in top shape – like playing soccer.
The Vakhegula-Vakhegula Grannies Football Club, aka Vuvuzela Gogos, is setting the benchmark in this regard, even undertaking international tours.
As recently as April 27 they jetted across the waters to take on the Mauritius Grannies at the St. François Xavier Stadium, securing a 2-0. victory with some nifty spring chicken moves.
And leading the charge was Ballito’s own galloping granny Managay Pillay, who was named captain after only joining the mainly Limpopo-based squad two months ago.
Pillay has always taken extra care of her fitness and health and playing soccer was a perfect fit.
“Gone are the days where we as grannies just knit away and sip tea. We are capable of so much more,” she said.
The grannies football club was founded in 2007 by Beka Ntsanwisi who wanted to promote exercise and educate senior citizens about illnesses and diseases brought on earlier by inactivity in one’s so-called golden years.
Since the first granny’s soccer team took flight, the movement is growing as many older women are following the trend.
The Vuvuzela Gogos’ next assignment is an international tournament in Spain in June, the only African team in the mix against teams from the United States, Canada, Mexico, England, France and Spain.
The second grannies international football tournament will be held in South Africa next year.
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