A new initiative in Gresswold is giving senior citizens a chance to engage with their peers, be involved in exercise and dance and get away from home for a little while.

Sizoma Seniors Club was founded two months ago by Matshepo Mahlangu. It operates under a registered non-profit company established in honour of her late parents, Simon and Zodwa Mahlangu whose names inspired the name of the club.

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“This is my personal ministry; it’s about glorifying God through service to humanity, and it’s also in honour of my late parents,” she said.

“I’m trying to create an experience for these elderly, the same experience I would have wanted my parents to have.”

Mahlangu funds the club and welcomes all elders every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning from 10:30 to 15:00.

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Mahlangu has help from two trained caregivers, an auxiliary nurse, a cook, a dance and exercise instructor and transport staff who fetch and return the gogos.

A typical day at Sizoma Seniors Club begins with tea, sandwiches and biscuits, followed by fun games, and then gentle aerobics and dancing.

All these contribute to the mental, social and physical well-being of the elders.
“We call it aerobics, but it’s very gentle aerobics. We don’t want to push them. They do what their bodies can do at this point, but then there’s an element of dance as well, which they love.”

Later on, after their activities, they enjoy a hot lunch followed by the facility’s signature treatment, a foot massage before heading back home.

Apart from catering for the elders, the club also hosts a soup kitchen every Thursday at Bramley Park and Glenhazel Park as part of its outreach programmes.

“I’m hoping this will inspire and motivate others not to write off the elderly. I always say they are retired, not expired.”

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