Over 200 golden oldies kicked off their shoes and danced at the annual Christmas party hosted by Woodstock Police Station on Thursday.
The oldest woman present was 101-year-old Frances Stringer from Arcadia Place Old Age home in Observatory.
The spritely Frances was crowned with a silver headband at the Woodstock Town Hall.
The annual event has been running for 11 years and is organised by the Woodstock Police Station with their sponsors, the Community Policing Forum, the City of Cape Town, Lewis Stores and local businesses and mosques.
“This is our 11th event and this is special for us because it is for our seniors and showing them our appreciation,” said Sergeant Hilton Malila.
The event is also aimed at creating safety awareness for the elderly during the festive season.
There wasn’t a dull moment while the pensioners were treated by local artists such as the Amigos, and they were given a lekker lunch.
The excitement grew when Miss Woodstock was crowned after a modelling show.
Gadija Williams, 81, from Lavender Hill was the star of the show from the beginning and danced her way to the top.
The white-haired Gadija even managed to kick up her legs and jolled with DJ Lee, 74, from Arcadia Place.
“I love to dance and it’s not just not for competitions,” she joked.
Vanessa Matthews, 63, from Woodstock was crowned second princess while Janice Britton, 76, of Arcadia Place was the first princess.
Janice says she’s a professional dancer: “I’ve been a Spanish dancer for years and I am also from District Six.”
These ladies were not the only ones to walk off with prizes as others also won best dressed and there were also spot prizes.
A festive Sergeant Malila also grabbed the mic and belted out a song.
On a more serious note, he urged the oldies to stay vigilant during the festive season.
“When they are at the ATM’s and drawing their Sassa money, we ask that they do the buddy system and not to draw large sums of money, but only what they need,” he explains.
“Our seniors are targets for the criminals because they cannot defend themselves.”