Johannesburg – There is a new beauty queen in town – 78-year-old Gogo Margaret Fatyela – who has been crowned Miss Sukuma Mbokodo 2025.
The septuagenarian scooped the top prize during a special seniors’ beauty pageant in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng.
The modest prizes included dinner and coffee sets, cups, glasses, and goodie bags containing toiletries.
Fifteen bold and beautiful grandmothers participated in the pageant, which took place at Yende Street, Thokoza, also known as Kathorus Welfare, on Tuesday (13 May 2025).
The pageant for seniors, which aims to encourage elderly women to remain positive about themselves, was organised by the Sukuma Mbokodo Support Group, established in 2018.
More than 120 elderly people, children, grandchildren, community members, and politicians turned out for the event.
Founder of the Sukuma Mbokodo Support Group, Mama Dizzy Mbuli, told The Bulrushes that the organisation also runs a soup kitchen for the elderly and provides holistic care for them, as well as for women and children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
“I established this organisation because I saw that most Gogo’s were neglected,” Mbuli revealed.
“I make sure that they are clean, well nourished, well cared for, and showered with love.
“This pageant was to remind them that they are beautiful, and can still dress well … instead of stressing about dying.
“I am happy to see them walking tall and beaming with confidence… they are happy to be here.”
Dressed in black skirts or similar colour trousers and white branded T-shirts, members of the support organisation looked suave at the well-attended event.
Toxic Theatre Production entertained the attendees with a short play highlighting the scourge of abuse of elderly citizens.
“Stop abusing senior citizens. Do not steal their grant money, do not assault them and lastly, do not rape them,” said the group of four teenagers from Thokoza.
When it was time for the contestants to dance, the venue erupted into joy and laughter.
It was as if the term “gugothandoyo” was being put to the test when the grannies danced and sang along to their favourite tunes.
When 81-year-old Gogo Lydia Mokoena – the oldest contestant – took to the dance floor, she left the audience in awe with her rhythmic moves.
It was fitting that she earned the First Princess prize ahead of 77-year-old Gogo Alinah Tshonisile, who was crowned the Second Princess.
Looking back, the seniors had rather fulfilling lives before they retired.
Gogo Fatyela, the overall winner of the pageant, said she used to work as a clerk for an engineering company.
Mokoena was a domestic worker, and Tshonisile used to work for a company in Johannesburg.
But there have also been tragedies for the grandmothers.
Gogo Fatyela lamented that she had five children, sadly, only one has survived, but she said she takes comfort that she has several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Mokoena said she had eight children, but only three remain. She said she has grandchildren.
Commenting on winning the top prize, Gogo Fatyela said: “I am grateful and honoured to be chosen as a winner, this means a lot to me.
“The organisation has changed my life. Every Tuesday, I look forward to attending meetings and engagements with other members.
“I am turning 79 years old in August, but I feel like a child, and Mbuli is like our mother.
“We pray to God to give her strength so that she can continue to help us.”
All the contestants showed gratitude to the organisation, saying that they look forward to their weekly meetings because they get to socialise with their mates.
One of the special guests was City of Ekurhuleni’s Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Community Services, Councillor Bridget Thusi, who donated R2 000 to the organisation.
MMC Thusi praised the organisation and encouraged it to continue taking care of the elderly citizens.
“I was happy to be at the event to see the smiles on their faces, the relaxation that the Gogo’s were stress-free,” said MMC Thusi.
“What I would like to see in this program to be hosted in other regions where we empower these elderly citizens.
“Senior citizens don’t really do much except for looking after children… to be celebrated [like this]… one could see that they felt appreciated.”
She, however, acknowledged the senior citizens face challenges, particularly, regarding collecting their South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) grants.
The MMC said the City of Ekurhuleni assists senior citizens in that regard.
MMC Thusi congratulated the winners as well as the rest of the contestants.
She said she hopes that soon such events will take place in all regions in Gauteng where Gogo’s can be showered with love and care by all.
Even the Bulrushes got a mention of praise for publishing and supporting their event.
