Older persons honoured in first EC awards ceremony

01 Feb 2016 | Admin Author

The Eastern Cape's first ever Senior Citizens of the Year Awards took place in Nelson Mandela Bay on Monday.

The awards ceremony for people 70 and over was timed to coinicide with International Day of the Older Persons.

It is an initiative by a newly formed non-profit organisation known as the Golden Oldies Fund Raising club.

Spokesperson, Juanita Krauspe, says the awards aim to recognise and honour older persons for the role that they continue to play in their communities.

"There are just so many amazing older persons out there who are doing great things in their communities and not being recognised for it," she said.

"Our aim is to further utilise this event to educate younger people to make provision for and become active after their retirement so that they do not become a burden to the state (and) that they can also aspire to the greatness of their golden years," said Krauspe.

The main award winners and the motivations for them follows:

*Category: Sport, Stephney Deloris Loots (70)
Coached netball since 1988
Is currently coaching east Cape Midlands College
She is the head coach for the following 3 colleges:
Uitenhage
Graff-Reinett
Grahamstown
Gives motivational talks to the youth, encouraging them to excel in their sport

*Category: Business, Celeste van der Walt (73)
Regional Director of Anique Health and Beauty
Certified laughter yoga teacher and leader
Established a lifestyle/Wellness centre in PE
Qualified advanced babygym instructor

*Category: Community Involvement (90-100) Gesina Gertruida Craddock (91)Responsible for all purchase at both ACVV branches
Member of executive board of management at ACVV
Co-ordinates catering for functions
Drafting monthly program of activities and menus for the centre
Participated in the Golden games since 1995 and won the trophy for the "eldest participant."

*Category: Community Involvement (80-90) - Olga Meyer (81)
Bakes rusks and biscuits and takes them to:
Cancer patients
sick persons
the elderly
Also bakes for various fetes to raise funds for them

*Category: Community Involvement (70-80) David Anthony Moorhouse - (74)

Started a Neighborhood Watch initiative in the Eastern Cape which has expaned to EL.
Spent countless hours training various crime forums in the northern suburbs
Member of rapid urban response, trains the operators on 2 way radio protocol and procedures. Still actively assist with the radio networks and drives and I-Patrol vehicle to ensure safety of PE citizens.

Caption: Back: Annelize van Niekerk; Shane Gerber (Main Sponsor from BLG Logistics); Juanita Krauspe

Front: Olga Meyer; David Moorhouse; Stephney Loots; Gesina Craddock