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 myself.

Taking a step back my experiences in South Africa prepared me for the step into the global space. in particular a social gerontyology course in 2008 hosted by North West University and the International Institute on Ageing (INIA) opened doors to perspectives that shaped the way I see ageing today.

  • Prof. Troisi’s voice still echoes in my mind as he challenged us: “They are human first.” That reminder to see beyond the roles, labels, and appearances of older people—to focus on their humanity—has stayed with me ever since.

  • Jaco Hoffman spoke of bridging the gap—between policy and practice, urban and rural, where older people are now and where they want to be. He introduced me to the narrative of being “in between,” and it expanded the way I thought about my role.

  • Prof. Vera Roos introduced the Mmogo method, using creative, participatory tools to understand the impact of drought on older persons. It sparked in me a curiosity to approach ageing differently.

These encounters planted seeds of curiosity about what is possible when we shift from individualised contributions to collaborative interventions. What might we achieve if we leveraged our collective strengths as willing agents of change?


Over the years, many others have walked this journey with me—locally, regionally, and internationally. They are more than colleagues; they are family in the pursuit of purposeful and dignified ageing.

  • Dr Rayune Stoebel recognised qualities in me that I was still discovering.

  • Moira Allen, through the Pass It On Network, showed me how diversity enriches our work, connecting passionate positive-ageing ambassadors across the globe.

  • Katie Sloan, through the Global Ageing Network, helped me see that local actions could have global impact—and encouraged me to elevate more voices in the process.

  • Judy Martin - the art of networking combined with rolling uo your sleeves and get things done 

  • Mansur Dalal - the marrying of the head and the heart - development without sustainability is doomed for short term success at the expense of long term impact 

  • Andrew Larpent - the power of being an insurgent - there will be many obstacles on the path. one just has to stay the course

And while my leadership evolved, so too did my journey into parenthood. What I never anticipated was that my role as a mother would become one of my greatest sources of leadership wisdom. My daughter, with her curiosity and earth-loving spirit, constantly reminds me that what feels complex can often be broken down into something simple, clear, and deeply human.

This blend of experiences is what I bring into my new role with CommonAge.

Yes, the work ahead is immense. But as an African proverb reminds us:
“If you think you are too small to make a difference, you haven’t spent the night with a mosquito.”

My vision for CommonAge:

  • Build on the strong foundations already laid.

  • Invest in leadership development, nurturing the next generation of advocates for ageing.

  • Collaborate for infrastructure development, recognising the power of partnerships.

  • Promote localised activities for global impact, ensuring our collective action translates into real change.

  • Above all, live with purpose—and inspire others to do the same.

I see myself as an instrument of evolution, committed to pulling along all who are willing, as we work towards creating a world we are proud to grow old in.

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