Gogos and mkhulus from Alexandra township were delighted to have visitors celebrate 67 minutes of Mandela Day with them and gift them with sneakers at Afrika Tikkun centre in Alexandra.
Through their initiative #MovetoGive partnership, Discovery Vitality Group, Afrika Tikkun and Phutaditjaba organisation came together on Thursday, 24 July to remember gogos and mkhulus who raised the community.
The head of Strategic Programmes and Wellness Discovery Vitality Dr Karen Johnson said: "I just want to say today's not only about sneakers, but also about love and care we have for the community, we care about their health, with the sneakers we want them to move and be healthy. Vitality wants people to have good lungs, a good state of mind and be healthy in shape. We're happy to be here today to celebrate with our elders."
The Afrika Tikkun centre in Alexandra was Linda Thwala's house who's the founder of Phutaditjaba Old Age and Disabled Care Organisation.
His home was bombed by the police in 1967. Together with the help of partners it became Afrika Tikkun which takes care of the Alexandra community.
Speaking to Daily Sun Linda Thwala (80) said: "This place brings me memories good and bad but the good will always mean more to me. We wanted to see Mandela free, so our houses got bombed to get rid of us, Deputy President Paul Mashatile was part of our idea to get freedom."
"We held a lot of meetings together in my house. I care about black people, and I want to see them happy. I'm happy that we have visitors today and I thank them for not forgetting the people who made South Africa what it is today," he said.
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The event began with a beautiful performance from Grade R kids dancing for the elders, who enjoyed and stood up to join the kids' dance.
Gogo Martha Dlamini (75) said: "I'm so happy to be here, and I'm very happy for the gifts they brought to us. I'm not a person of many words but I want to thank everyone sponsoring us to be happy in this community we call it ubuntu."
"I really love being around a lot of people especially young people because they make me feel young again. I get more emotional when young people show us appreciation and visit us, it really means a lot. We are old now and we are living the battle in your hands to make South Africa better," Gogo Lindiwe Magasela (69) said.
Mkhulu Spamandla Dladla (86) said: "To be old is to be wise, I wish more people to give back to the communities and stop these things of smoking hubbly bubbly. Madiba was my friend even though we never met personally, I'm happy to celebrate him."
The elders were delighted and the celebration was concluded by the handing over of the sneakers which left them very happy.
