NATIONAL NEWS - Every 18th of July, South Africans mark Mandela Day by giving 67 minutes of their time in service to others – a small gesture in honour of Madiba’s legacy.

South Africa celebrates its youth but our elders, the gogos and tatas who hold families together, deserve just as much care. 

They raise grandchildren, support relatives without jobs, and keep households going with strength and resilience.

In communities where jobs are scarce and formal support is limited, older people step into roles well after retirement. They are carers, providers, role models, and sources of stability. 

Many live on modest pensions that barely cover essentials, yet they continue to support entire households. 

Recognising their contribution means more than saying thank you – it means creating opportunities for them to earn, participate, and feel valued.

That’s why one of the most meaningful ways to honour our elders is by creating dignified income opportunities that reinforce their value and keep them socially and mentally active. 

Earning even a small amount each month gives older people not only financial relief, but also a renewed sense of pride and purpose.

In Cape Town, grandmothers from township communities gather weekly to produce beaded crafts. They earn between R200 and R1,000 a month, which helps cover essentials like groceries, school costs, or household bills. Just as importantly, the time they spend together – talking, laughing, and supporting one another – helps ease loneliness, promote active ageing, and build a strong sense of community.

The Neighbourhood Old Age Homes (NOAH) network also offers a powerful example of what’s possible when older people are included in economic life. Through small-scale social enterprises – from craft sales to urban gardening – many NOAH participants now earn above the poverty line, while rebuilding self-worth and contributing meaningfully to their families and neighbourhoods.

In other parts of the country, gogos are creating hand-made items such as beaded jewellery, bags, and crocheted gloves – using their skills to earn essential income while staying socially connected.

The World Health Organization has named loneliness one of the greatest health risks facing the elderly today, which is both a social concern and a public health issue. 

So when you create a space where older people feel seen, heard, and useful, the impact goes far beyond the financial.

These kinds of models have a wider social impact. Through one simple item – like a handmade cause bracelet  – people can generate income, support causes such as malaria prevention, mental health, or education, and contribute to broader systems of care and change. This joined-up approach to social impact is about more than charity. It’s about agency, purpose, and shared progress.

We don’t need to reinvent the wheel , we just need to back what works. That means supporting programmes that empower elders in their own communities. It means designing housing, transport and public spaces that include everyone. And it means shifting from “care for” to “care with” so older people feel part of the solution.

For generations, it was a given that families looked after their elders. But with urbanisation, migration, and economic pressures, that structure is under strain. In many homes, older people are now holding the line alone – providing for grandchildren, stepping in where systems fall short, and doing so with quiet strength.

Their needs are often overlooked. Their work is often invisible, even though without them, many families would simply not function.

We already have the wisdom, the tools, and the heart to make this happen. What we need now is the will – not just from the government or NGOs, but from each of us. Whether it’s through supporting grassroots initiatives, advocating for age-inclusive policies, or simply listening more closely to the elders in our lives, we all have a role to play in building a society where no one is left behind.

As Nelson Mandela said, “A society that does not value its older people denies its roots and endangers its future.” If we’re serious about building a just and inclusive future, we must centre those who have carried us here.

This Mandela Day, let’s go beyond good intentions. Let’s support community-based programmes that include and uplift older people. Let’s fund models that work. Let’s build a country where elders are honoured and included.

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