TAFTA invites communities to make every minute matter this Mandela Day
For 68 years, TAFTA has provided care, support and dignity to older persons through its residential, care and community services.
As South Africans prepare to honour Madiba’s legacy this International Nelson Mandela Day (July 18), The Association For The Aged (TAFTA) is calling on businesses, schools, families, faith-based organisations and community groups to unite through its Sisonke – We Are Together campaign, demonstrating how 67 minutes of service can create a lasting impact in the lives of older persons.
For 68 years, TAFTA has provided care, support and dignity to older persons through its residential, care and community services.
This year’s Mandela Day, which falls on a Saturday, presents an opportunity for even more people to volunteer their time, donate goods, sponsor facility improvements or partner with the organisation to help create safer, more comfortable and more vibrant environments where older persons can thrive.
The campaign aims to support older persons across TAFTA’s 13 residential, care and community facilities through a range of meaningful giving opportunities that address both immediate needs and long-term sustainability.
Chief executive officer, Femada Shamam, said Mandela Day serves as a reminder that meaningful change begins when communities come together. “Sisonke means ‘we are together’, and that is exactly what this campaign represents. Every act of kindness, whether it is donating an item, sponsoring a project, volunteering a skill or simply giving your time, contributes towards creating environments where older persons can continue living with dignity, independence and a sense of belonging. Together, we have the power to make a lasting difference,” Shamam said.
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Supporters can become involved in four key ways. Individuals and organisations can sponsor practical needs such as mobility equipment, furniture and facility upgrades, donate professional skills and services including painting, maintenance, landscaping and security improvements; contribute essential goods that enhance residents’ daily comfort and well-being, or partner with TAFTA on larger Sisonke Legacy Projects that deliver sustainable improvements across its facilities.
Current Legacy Projects include improving WiFi connectivity at Cambridge Gardens, upgrading frail care facilities at John Conradie House, replacing kitchen and office cupboards at Tafta Park Care Cottage, and replacing the wooden entrance gate at St Martin’s Village.
For those unable to support a specific project, financial contributions towards the Sisonke for Madiba campaign will allow TAFTA to respond to the areas of greatest need across its facilities and community programmes, including urgent maintenance, essential equipment and resident care requirements.
Shamam shared that the campaign is about building partnerships that extend well beyond Mandela Day itself; saying, “Some of the most meaningful relationships begin with a single conversation. Whether support takes the form of one volunteer day, a donation, or an ongoing partnership, every contribution strengthens our ability to provide quality care and create spaces where older persons feel valued, respected and connected.”
As South Africa’s older population continues to grow, community support remains essential in ensuring older persons receive the care, dignity and opportunities they deserve. Individuals, businesses and organisations interested in supporting the Sisonke for Madiba campaign are encouraged to contact TAFTA’s Shana Subramoney on 031 332-3721 or [email protected] to discuss how they can get involved.
Not every contribution needs to happen on Mandela Day itself – many partnerships continue making a difference throughout the year.
For more information or to pledge support, visit www.tafta.org.za
