Ageing gracefully is the new Sexy
A few months ago, the name Irvin Randle would not have elicited any reaction or interest. But in the past few days, Randle has garnered more popularity than he probably ever imagined.
His Twitter and Facebook pages boast more than 600, 000 fans individually. Social media users now know him as ‘Uncle Bae’ aka Mr Steal Your Grandma. His claim to fame? His good looks. It sounds superficial and shallow, but welcome to the real world where one’s appearance actually does matter to many people. What is more interesting about Randle is perhaps that he is much older – 54, he says. However, he looks better than a lot of men half his age, thanks to his strong and toned physique and up-to-date fashion sense. The man, who is a teacher by profession, has left women - young and old (and some men) - swooning. He indeed has the hallmarks of a man who would indeed steal any woman – he is handsome with curly hair and a moustache peppered with strands of white hair; physically fit, tall and charming, if his Facebook posts are anything to go by.
He often gives relationship advice and preaches love and unity. Not surprisingly, he seems to have endeared himself to single and middle aged women who would probably throw their knickers at him given the chance. His picture has been turned into profile pictures and his name appears a lot on different social media pages.
Randle apparently “earned” his fame after Facebook friends asked to share a photo of his on their page. Randle agreed, and in less than an hour the picture garnered over 30, 000 Likes. There have been mixed reactions to this man, some evidently love him while others loathe him, and others love to hate him. But he doesn’t seem to care. He is supposedly cashing in on brand recognition, interviews and might soon land endorsement deals and the works.
Whatever the intention, he has shown the world, especially those of African descent, that one can be older but still be in good shape, stylish and fashionable and be exciting. So great is his popularity that he will be flying to South Africa in November as an attraction at a women’s empowerment expo.
It is usually women who are celebrated for maintaining good looks over the years. The likes of actresses Julia Roberts, Halle Berry, Cameron Diaz and Katherine Lang (who plays Brooke Logan in The Bold and the Beautiful), as well as Connie Ferguson and Gloria Kgosi among a few other popular individuals, are all women who have remained trim fit and beautiful despite the passing years.
There are other older men who are known to have aged gracefully. A classic example is our president, Sir Seretse Khama Ian Khama. He is 62 but would give men half his age a run for their money in the physique and fitness stakes. His age mates are a common sight in hospital lines and their daily lives marred by ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ from endless aches and pains, but not him. While some men in their 30s and 40s are carrying around a beer girth, he has flat toned abs and is known to be a fitness junkie who can kick, run and climb without breaking a sweat. Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Thapelo Olopeng is also known to be fit.
The Minister who has gained popularity as “DJ Tips” can dance the night away with ease and even pulls modern moves synonymous with youngsters. Minister Kitso Mokaila is another fit and virile one. Across the border in South Africa, there is well-known music legend, Arthur Mafokate, whose “ageless” looks have set tongues wagging for ages. He doesn’t change - he still looks the way he did 20 years ago! Although he has never disclosed his age to the media, Mafokate is not young. He is assumed to be in his 50s.
He won Mr Soweto in the early 1990s, so he is evidently a ‘groetman.’ His oldest child is 22 years old. Another ‘ageless’ music maestro is Mahoota of kwaito group, Trompies fame. Mahoota is 52 years old but he looks 32. When he turned 50 two years ago, Facebook was alight with comments about his youthful looks. Mahoota eventually shared that he “doesn’t smoke, doesn’t drink alcohol and drinks a lot of water.” He also credited good genes for his flawless baby face.