There are many unsung heroes and heroines who have dedicated their lives to the upliftment of their communities, but many are not honoured for their efforts.
Magoda Agnes, 77, Maries Nkayi, 79, and Isewete Royland, 91, however, were recently acknowledged for being the brains behind the establishment of Sinovuyo Old Age group about five years ago.
At the ceremony, held in Ilitha Park, Khayelitsha, the trio received certificates of appreciation from the provincial Department of Social Development and their faces were painted on the walls of the premises.
The three had been instrumental in ensuring that the old age group continued its work despite endless challenges.
Ms Magoda said one of the key factors that propelled them to establish the old age group was the desire to create a space where they could gather. Ms Magoda said for years they had been forced to travel long distances to visit other old age organisations, but they wanted their own spaces where they could plant vegetables and have their own food garden.
She said after a lengthy process they managed to secure the place and conducted some research before opening the organisation with just three members.
She said platforms such as the seniors’ club enabled people with similar interests to find each other – and help build each other up.
She added that it was important for senior citizens to keep active and not lock themselves in their homes. While funding remained a challenge, Ms Magoda said they were lucky to have loyal supporters. Recalling their early days, she said very few believed in their idea while others described them as boring people who perhaps had nothing better to do with their lives.
But when she sees how the organisation has grown, she said tears of joy and excitement just fill her eyes and she sometimes cannot believe how far they have come.
“I can’t describe how I feel about this. This is one of the moments that I will cherish forever.
“I want this organisation to grow beyond this. I take my hat off to those who believed in our ideas and become part of us. I salute those that were among the first senior citizens that joined us who are no longer alive.
“What matters to me more than anything is that we created a little safe haven for the senior citizens of Litha Park. I applaud the current leaders steering the organisation into the right direction,” she said.
The organisation’s secretary, Patricia Ophile, thanked the three founders for embarking on the “daunting yet exciting” journey of establishing the organisation.
Ms Ophile said it was important that they honour them while they were still alive and know that they were valued. Mr Royland said he was proud that he had helped start the organisation and that when he dies, he would have left a lasting legacy.