Mpumalanga confident of victory ahead of National Active Ageing Games

By Lwazi Raul-Shongwe

Mpumalanga is going to the nationals – and they are going to win.

That was the confident message from MEC for DSD(Department of Social Development), Nompumelelo Hlophe, as the province unveiled the team that will represent it at this year’s upcoming National Active Ageing Programme to be held in the Free State.

MEC Hlophe was addressing sponsors, organisers and all stakeholders involved in the Provincial Active Ageing Programme at ANEW Resort White River, Mbombela, on Thursday 27 August 2026, where senior citizens 60 years and above participated in different sporting codes and the provincial team was selected.

“As provinces prepare to participate in this year’s National Active Ageing Programme, The Department of Social Development together with the Mpumalanga Older Person’s Forum is confident that the team assembled will represent the province very well and return victorious,” said MEC Hlophe.

The remarks were made as gogos and mkhulus battled it out in the Golden Games – from soccer to athletics – proving that age is just a number.

MEC Hlophe congratulated the team selected to represent the province.

The MEC reserved special praise for the elders who made the final cut.

“MEC Hlophe concluded by wishing all those who have been selected to represent the province all the best as they are about to begin to take a journey of competing with other provinces in sporting codes endorsed by the DCSR(Department of Culture Sports & Recreation),” the Department said.

The province will now pin its hopes on its golden generation as they head to the Free State to fly the Mpumalanga flag high.

The old goggos and mkhulus said they want to show other provinces what Mpumalanga is made of. The old people vowed tha they will not only be going there for a win but to make joke of the other provinces. speaking to Emsamo News mkhuli Radebe who is a good soccer fan and plays in the old age team sid they are ready. “I am from Ehlanzeni and we are so ready to go to Freestate to show other provinces that we are not just a small province known of its nature but have old people who believe in healthy lifestyle. I am a good soccer fan and that is why I know how to strike and with what i have the other mkhulus will cry of my skill”/ he said.