Port Elizabeth: Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality donates bowling equipment to Hoza Golden Club in New Brighton

The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality's Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture Directorate donated bowling equipment and playing attire to the Hoza Golden Age Club. The handover was officiated by the Portfolio Chairperson of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Cllr Nonamerika Magopeni. 

The donation was aimed at the advancement of sport development, particularly among the senior citizens of Nelson Mandela Bay.

Speaking during the hand-over ceremony at Cecil Mkapi Hall in New Brighton, Magopeni said that sport was an excellent vehicle for promoting positive role models; for achieving gender equity; and for developing critical life skills among senior citizens in under-resourced communities. 

She added that donations of sport equipment and playing attire to the elderly would give senior citizens the opportunity to participate and compete in provincial and national bowling competitions.

The Hoza Golden Age Club comprises a group of female senior citizens who engage in different activities such as sewing, knitting, beadwork, crocheting and making pillows. They also do motivational talks in schools and old age homes about healthy lifestyles and fitness. 

Bowling constitutes an exciting new and sporty activity for them. The ladies are trained by bowling coach Ronald Anthony Peterson in Gelvandale. “The ladies understand the game and they are enjoying it,but they still need more training to compete with other clubs,” said the coach.

During the hand-over ceremony, the audience was entertained by the gogo’s singing and dancing. They were called one by one to receive their tracksuits. “We are grateful to the good Samaritans; they are encouraging us to be the flowers of the Metro,” said Jumata Majola, a leader of the Club.

"We are happy we could make a difference in the lives of these senior citizens,” said the Director of Sport and Recreation in the Nelson Mandela Municipality, Charmaine Williams.

To some of the ladies, bowling was something totally new. “I was very fortunate to be taught bowling by the coach in the Club. Before that, I did not even know the sport existed! It keeps me very fit. I’m 76, but people say I look 50,” said Getrude Mzizi.

The coach complimented the 68-year-old Sindiswa Sota, affectionately known as Sindy in the Club, for being very competitive and a quick learner. “I am like a young person all over again,” said Cindy.

The ladies sell their beadwork and knitwear to the public, putting up their stalls during pension time. The Club has a warm heart: the skilled hands of the ladies knitted school jerseys for New Brighton learners; donating 50 jerseys to each school in New Brighton to help underprivileged kids.