T’S a gloomy Monday morning, but it takes a lot more than a bit of rain to stop this group of grannies from turning up for training. They’re jolly, laughing and chatting as they prepare to jog around the field.
Sarah Shonisane (72) is putting them through their paces at the Muckle neuk sports ground in Pretoria, encouraging her girls to keep going – and considering the oldest “girl” is 81, getting around the field is no mean feat.
The Gogo Shonisane Mamelodi football club is made up of sports-mad older people who love playing the beautiful game and want to stay fit no matter the weather.
The youngest member of the team is 57, the oldest is the 81-year-old running around the track and the newest recruit to Shonisane FC is Jane Bopape (74), who lives in nearby Mamelodi East.
Jane is excited to be here for her first training session and to be part of the team.
“I was inspired by these elderly people, and I wanted to join them,” she tells YOU.
“This is really worth my time.”
Sarah, the team’s founder and defender, is on a mission to recruit new blood for the side, which began in 2010 – the year South Africa hosted the Fifa World Cup.
The pandemic prevented the team from getting together for their thrice- weekly training sessions and old age has also meant a few of the original members of Shonisane FC have passed away.
Although the team is mainly made up of oldies, Sarah isn’t averse to having “youngsters of 35” join the team, she says – everyone is welcome.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der 2 March 2023-Ausgabe von YOU South Africa.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der 2 March 2023-Ausgabe von YOU South Africa.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
HOW TO BE YOUR OWN THERAPIST
With more and more of us struggling with our mental health, here's a common-sense guide to coping with life's ups and downs
SPUD: THE MAGIC CONTINUES
John van de Ruit tells us why he decided to write a sequel - and shares how his first book helped him find enduring love
SEX CONTRACT GONE WRONG
A Cape Town couple have been charged with using a young woman as a sex slave-but some say she lost the job she signed up for and now has a grudge against them
LIAM LAID TO REST
More than a month after One Direction singer LIAM PAYNE (31) tragically fell to his death from a balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, his loved ones finally got to say their goodbyes.
SHILOH HANGS OUT
THE two young women look like any pair of good friends chatting and laughing as they leave their dance class in Los Angeles.
LEO IN LOVE
He's just turned 50 and it seems Leonardo DiCaprio may finally be ready to settle down
PACKING A PUNCH
Irish actor Paul Mescal beefed up for his role in the blockbuster epic Gladiator II - and fans are loving it
I DIDN'T CHOOSE TO BE A LOVE CHILD
As the illegitimate daughter of the king, she fought to be recognised as part of Belgium's royal family, but Princess Delphine says she still feels unwelcome
'I STILL HAVE NIGHTMARES'
A bite from a spitting cobra 13 years ago nearly killed her but Mikayla survived - and she's made peace with her scars
THE CLAWS ARE OUT!
Things have grown frosty between the Beckhams and the Sussexes as Becks comes out in clear support of William
