Senior citizen clubs in Mamelodi gathered at Softball Stadium Pitch in Mamelodi West to participate in a 5km Fun Walk and fundraising event on Wednesday in a bid to raise funds for a club that desperately needs help.

Egness Sepeng from Peu Entle Senior Citizen Club said they organised the event to raise funds and buy materials the club desperately needs to function and meet social development standards.

She said most of the clubs in Mamelodi don’t receive funds from the Social Development department because they need to meet certain requirements.

“The event was a success, and we had more than 300 participants from the 19 senior citizens clubs we invited in Mamelodi,” said Sepeng.

She said the walk also formed part of encouraging elderly people to start taking care of their health, like exercising to keep fit and healthy.

“Exercise could help alleviate many citizens’ health problems and help to keep them healthy and strong,” she added.

“Most of the members have stopped complaining about aches; that is why they were able to participate in the walk,” she said.

Ward 67 councillor Sizwe Tsiane, who also participated in the fun walk, said it is a team-building exercise for elderly people to morally rejuvenate them.

“We are here to support such initiatives because senior citizens are vulnerable citizens who need special attention.”

He said more of these exercises should be encouraged. “They go through a lot at their homes, especially those who are raising grandchildren who are victims of drug abuse.”

Tsiane invited more senior citizens to join clubs because exercising is good for their health, mentally and physically.

“We call on the government, stakeholders, and all sectors to support these initiatives because they don’t have resources and money,” he said.

He also invited the community at large, especially young people, to support these initiatives.

“Senior citizens have raised us to have a better future and education.”

The fun walk started at the Softball Pitch stadium, went to Denlyn Mall, and back to the pitch, where the citizens took part in aerobics and other fun activities.

On behalf of the club, she concluded by thanking all the stakeholders and sponsors who made the event a success.

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