WATCH: For GOGOz, the gloves are on COSMO CITY – Age is nothing but a number for these grannies.

Clara Nose (65) lands every punch to show that senior citizens are as active as everyone else.
Over the past four years, Claude Maphosa has been keeping grannies in the north of Johannesburg fit through boxing.

Maphosa, who has established himself as a bodybuilder, started hosting bodybuilding contests in the townships of Johannesburg. When he held a contest in Cosmo City, he realised there wasn’t a gym or fitness centre in the area. Maphosa decided to take the initiative and opened up a gym in Cosmo City.


He said even though the programme had become successful, the gym did face certain challenges. The first was that of transport. “As active as these ladies are they still struggle to move to and from the gym, it would be helpful if we could provide transport for them,” he said. Maphosa does provide transport for those that he can assist.

Another challenge was maintaining and supplying boxing equipment. “We have over 30 grannies and I need to ensure that they have a set of gloves and equipment that they can all use at the same time.” He added that he did not want a situation where he had to turn away grannies that were interested in signing up because he could not accommodate them.

“I would love to expand this programme to other townships so grannies all over Johannesburg can get fit, healthy and active.” He is planning to host a gogo’s boot camp in October where senior citizens will compete in a boxing showcase and businesses will get involved in sponsoring prizes. Maphosa said all proceeds from the event would go towards buying boxing gloves.

He is appealing for help to grow this initiative and make it sustainable.

Details: Claude Maphosa 082 395 5115, info@ateamfoundation.co.za

 Before the punching and ducking begin, the gogos of Cosmo City begin their morning with a warm- up session.

 Gladys Ngwenya (68)is still active enough to dodge anything her trainer throws her way

 Gladys Ngwenya (68), gives her all during her morning boxing workout session.

 Clara Nose (65), shows that the boxing programme is a full body workout as she performs an abdominal exercise.

 Mabel Mokgosi (66) is still as energetic as ever as she spars with her trainer

The gogos of Cosmo City do boxing to keep active, healthy and fit.