You Might Be Down for the Count After Facing These Boxing Grannies in South Africa
We're partnering with Capital One on our Purposeful Travel Hub. If you have unique ways you like to pay it forward when you travel or just love exploring new places with family and friends, we want to hear about it. Share your most treasured travel moments and purposeful travel tips with us using #MeaningfulMoments.
For most of us, the idea of settling into our golden years probably involves slowing down. But in the Cosmo City neighborhood of Johannesburg, in South Africa, one gym is redefining early retirement with its so-called "Boxing Grannies" program.
Started back in 2013 at the A-Team gym by head trainer Claude Maphosa, the program is designed specifically for women in their 60s and older. They meet twice a week to lift medicine balls, spar and jab away the aches and pains of old age.
Last October, the grannies caught the attention of The Points Guy team, so we headed to South Africa for a round with the "gogos." Upon arrival, Maphosa greeted us at his desk surrounded by bodybuilding trophies. On the wall hung a poster of his younger self in peak physical condition. After we exchanged pleasantries, Maphosa instructed us to form a circle for a group prayer before we began the program.
As we bowed our heads, I couldn't help but think about the difficult news I received just one week earlier: my mother-in-law, Daisy, had been diagnosed with cancer. Because my wife is from South Africa, I was filled with an even greater sense of purpose, being here at this moment, on assignment. After all, Daisy is a picture of health. She exercises five days a week, rarely drinks and has never smoked a single cigarette in her life. Yet, of all things, she'd been diagnosed with lung cancer. An affliction similar to what many of the grannies are currently fighting outside the ring.
When it was time for the grannies to line up in formation to begin their routine, Maphosa spared nobody in sight, including our fearless leader and video director, who was immediately thrown into the mix, leaving her directorial duties behind. There was a quick lap around the gym, followed by juking and jabbing to the rhythm of Afropop; a spectacle worthy of a Mariam Makeba music video.
Brian Kelly, The Points Guy himself, was shown no mercy, either. Maphosa threw him some gloves and instructed him to fall in line with the other grannies. What followed was an intense routine of sparring, shadow boxing, weight training and speed bag exercises. The program looked exhausting for anyone young and fit, let alone someone twice my age. It was inspiring to see this community so full of life.
Many of the Boxing Grannies said the program had given them the energy and stamina they were losing with age. Now, they are "no longer sore," and one woman even claimed that, after three years in the program, her diabetes is under control.
But above all, the Boxing Grannies embody strength and perseverance. Watching them — their incredible positivity and discipline — gave me confidence that Daisy, too, can overcome whatever obstacle comes her way. Sometimes, you just need to be taken out of your comfort zone to discover what it takes to keep fighting.
As Kelly said, "There's nothing more motivating than someone twice your age kicking your," well, you know.
Want to learn more about Boxing Grannies and the A-Team Foundation? Find out how to donate or become a partner. (This year, The Points Guy became an official sponsor of the A-Team this year.) And if you're headed to Johannesburg and want to box with the grannies yourself, sign up through Airbnb Experiences.
Of course, you don't have to enter the ring with a Boxing Granny to have a meaningful experience during your travels. Seek out other public projects in cities across the globe for a chance to mingle with locals and engage with new communities.
All photos by Kristin Kremers / The Points Guy.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees