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  “One gun was at his head, the other at his chest.” These words, spoken by an elder as she stepped off the combi on Friday morning, still echo in my mind. She was describing the ordeal of being hijacked—together with fellow elders and our driver—on their way to an Alzheimer’s awareness programme. The shock of it all is hard to process. Just eleven days earlier, at the Age-Friendly Communities Summit ahead of the IFA Global Conference in Cape Town, a colleague spoke about the risks faced by care workers and communities in the Global South. Safety, security, and access to services are inextricably linked. Friday’s events painfully reinforced that reality. As I reflect, three milestone lessons stand out: 1. The paralysis and the plan. When the call came through, my first words were, “Was anyone hurt?” What followed was a cascade of action: recovery arrangements, press holding statement, insurance notified, tracker activated, trauma debriefing set in motion. The crisis demanded ...
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  Well, That Just Happened!  My Journey towards leading Commonage The Commonwealth Association for the Ageing (CommonAge) AGM has just concluded, and with it came the ratification of my role as Chair-Designate —a role I will officially take up in January 2026. I am deeply humbled and profoundly excited about the possibilities ahead. It feels almost poetic that this milestone happens in the same season as the International Federation on Ageing (IFA) Conference in Cape Town . My own journey into the global ageing space began at an IFA conference—Prague, 2012. At the time, I had been married for less than a year and was unknowingly pregnant. What stays with me, however, is not just the personal milestone but the remarkable way I got there. It was Margie Chapman , a giant in our sector, who planted the idea that my work as a social worker was worth sharing globally. I didn’t see it as extraordinary, but Margie gently nudged me onto a leadership path I hadn’t envisioned for myse...
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  A Home Beyond Bricks: Addressing Accommodation, Mental Health, and Purpose A stone narrowly missed my car as I waited at a traffic light. In a flash of anger, I turned to see where it came from. There, sprawled on the pavement, was a middle-aged man in tattered clothes, a sore festering on his left foot, his right wrapped in a dirty plastic bag. His matted hair and wild, angry eyes matched the expletives he hurled, along with objects, at another unkempt man perched on a rubbish bin nearby. Not far off, a younger person shuffled along in a torn t-shirt, a hoodie, and no pants. At the next traffic light, another man rummaged through bins, collecting scraps to survive. These are the unseen—people society often overlooks. Driving to an open day at Tafta Lodge, this scene was a stark reminder of a universal truth: everyone needs a place to call home. At the open day, our area manager, Yougendrie, spoke passionately about the concept of a "forever home." It’s not just about brick...
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Location: Durban, South Africa
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  Meaningful Engagement of Elders – Alignment of the Universe by Femada Shamam A dear friend, Lynda Smith, recently recommended watching a movie titled Nonnas . As a Vince Vaughn fan, I was intrigued. I was also amused because one of my favourite TikTok pages is Nonna Pia — so, naturally, I took the bait. Earlier that day, I had attended the open day at Langeler Towers, where members of the public were invited to view the accommodation on offer. Among the team welcoming guests were the ladies responsible for catering — a group affectionately dubbed “the Koeksisters” by our wellness activity coordinator. The name, a nod to the sweet South African treat, had us all giggling. As each woman explained her role — one the cupcake specialist, another the savoury queen — I was struck by the pride and joy in their voices. They weren’t just cooking; they were contributing. The energy, the excitement, and the sense of purpose they radiated was beautiful. My heart was full knowing that Taft...
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  The Imperfections of Leading: Embracing Vulnerability, Self-Doubt, and Humility Leadership is often portrayed as a journey of confidence, decisiveness, and unwavering strength. Yet, the reality is far more complex. Leadership is also about vulnerability, self-doubt, and the humility to recognize and correct our own missteps. It is in these moments that we grow the most. Yesterday was one of those days when my mind was overwhelmed with self-doubt. I found myself reflecting on the power of words and how they can carry meanings beyond their literal definition. A simple word, spoken without ill intent, landed differently than I had intended. And in that moment, I had to confront the reality of my own unconscious biases and limitations in understanding diversity. I have always championed the idea that our strength lies in our diversity. But yesterday, I had to ask myself—do I truly understand what that means? I found myself in a conversation about a cultural and spiritual practice tha...
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  Reflections on Eight Years as CEO: A Journey of Purpose, Resilience, and Innovation As April 1, 2025, approaches, I take a deep breath and reflect on the past year. It has been both tough and exhilarating. Managing day-to-day operations while navigating the profound challenges of climate change, demographic shifts, and an evolving workforce has made me an expert in pivoting. At times, I am reminded of W.B. Yeats' poem The Second Coming —“Turning and turning in the widening gyre, the falcon cannot hear the falconer.” But the words that truly resonate are: Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold. However, in my reflection, I find gratitude—our centre is firm. It is anchored by our elders and the strategy we have committed to. That is why I am especially proud that we have launched Strategy 2030 . This marks a significant milestone for Tafta, ensuring that we remain relevant, resilient, and excellent in our mission. Rooted in purpose, reaching into the future, and sustained by in...
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  For ALL Women and Girls: Rights, Equality, and Empowerment I reflect on this year’s UN theme for International Women’s Day— For ALL Women and Girls: Rights, Equality, and Empowerment —and I cast my mind to what this means for me. The capitalized ALL speaks to absolute inclusion. It is not enough for some to enjoy these rights while others are denied them. What does this mean for me? I was raised by a strong woman who, in turn, was raised by an equally strong woman. Hard work and resilience were woven into the fabric of our upbringing, even as we navigated a patriarchal system. There was never a question of whether we could; it was always a question of how we would. That resilience is now my inheritance, my foundation, and my responsibility. What Is Within My Locus of Control? As a mother – My greatest role is investing in education, incubating curiosity, and inspiring innovation and pride in my daughter. She carries within her the blood of powerful women, and it is my duty ...
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