Transforming Mandela Day 2025 into lasting impact for 67 gogos
Financial struggles and emotional burdens faced by older women in society
“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived; it is what difference we have made to the lives of others...” – Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.
This Mandela Day serves as an opportunity to share the wisdom of generations while fostering a culture of respect, dignity, and support for elders. It aims to be a rallying cry for compassion, action, and enduring change that extends beyond a single day.
Image: Supplied
As Mandela Day on July 18, approaches, Relate Bracelets and Ikamva Labantu highlight a transformative initiative that aims to create lasting change for the often-overlooked elders in the townships. The “Mandela Day 2025 - 67 Gogos” initiative, spearheaded by Ikamva Labantu in partnership with Relate Bracelets, is dedicated to uplifting the lives of grandmothers who serve as the backbone of many families and communities.
This year, as the community comes together to bead bracelets and share the rich stories and lessons of Nelson Mandela, they are not just honouring his legacy but they are taking significant steps towards addressing the financial struggles and emotional burdens faced by older women in society. With research indicating a concerning rise in elder financial abuse, this initiative is more critical than ever.
The “Mandela Day 2025 – 67 Gogos” initiative is calling for change that endures long after the day is done. Ikamva Labantu and Relate Bracelets have partnered to create a day to raise awareness and funds to change the lives of elders in townships. Participants on July 18 will join a group of Ikamva Labantu’s “Gogos” (grandmothers) for 67 minutes to bead bracelets while sharing stories and memories of Nelson Mandela.
Older women in townships often care for children and grandchildren due to a high unemployment rate. Their limited monthly pension of just over R2300 is insufficient to cover a family’s basic living costs. Ikamva Labantu’s recently published independent study on elder abuse in Cape Town’s townships, found elderly women are at greater risk of financial abuse. Their pensions are exploited by their own children and grandchildren, and they carry unwanted parental burden for young grandchildren. This results in older women being more impoverished.
Ikamva Labantu’s Senior Clubs provide essential healthcare, nutrition, as well as legal and social support. Relate
Bracelets has been partnering since 2011 to provide seniors with the chance to augment their pension by beading cause-related bracelets at Ikamva Labantu’s Senior Clubs. Finally, Ikamva Labantu provides bedridden older adults with access to homecare services, rehabilitation assistance, as well as assistive and mobility devices.
Ishrene Davids, Director of Ikamva Labantu, says: “Older people fought in Apartheid to ensure a better future for the next generation, but many of them do not possess the equality and human rights they fought for. Our older people are vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. Ikamva Labantu works with the community to provide essential services and empowers elders who may otherwise be isolated and face abuse.”
“This Mandela Day we are raising awareness about our often-forgotten elders’ struggles. We call on society to recognise our elders’ on-going contribution to their community by helping create lasting change in their lives.”
Dalit Shekel, CEO of Relate Bracelets, says: “Relate Bracelets’ partnership with Ikamva Labantu is about honouring our gogos – the grandmothers who have held families and communities together for decades. We’re proud to play a
part in helping them earn with dignity, stay active and connected, and feel a renewed sense of purpose. This dignity first approach sits at the heart of everything we do. And every time someone chooses to wear a Relate bracelet, it’s a small act that keeps us all connected.”
The Ikamva Labantu and Relate Bracelet’s Mandela Day initiative has already raised over R100 000 towards supporting Ikamva Labantu’s 17 community-led Senior Clubs and homebased rehabilitative care for homebound elders, with corporates like Pam Golding Group, Sovereign Group and Spectacle World contributing.
If your company, school or community has not yet pledged 67 minutes, on July 18 you can donate non-perishable food items like canned food, rice, maize meal, cooking oil, sugar and coffee to Ikamva Labantu’s head office in
Woodstock. These items will be distributed to Ikamva Labantu’s bedridden elders.