Durban’s elderly were given the chance to reveal their extraordinary true life tales, through Tafta’s annual “Tell my Story” competition.

The Association for the Aged (Tafta) opened the competition to all its elders and club members with the aim of “inspiring a life worth living”

The elders submitted a range of stories from fun and whimsical to deeply personal accounts of their lives.

Aimed at reawakening a love of storytelling and reading among the elderly, the competition allows Tafta residents to connect their ideas and inspiration of their journey through time, as well as identify undiscovered storytellers within their communities.

“Stories bring us together and allows us to immerge into a beautiful world. We believe that we owe it to each other to tell stories and we want to celebrate the magnificent art of storytelling by inviting our residents to share their stories with the world. They were encouraged to grab a pen and submit either a fiction or nonfiction masterpiece,” said Femada Shamam, Tafta CEO.

After an overwhelming response, Maureen Rooks of Sunshine Community Club in Sydenham scooped first prize of R500 cash, with Berlinda Johanson of John Conradie House, coming in second place with a R300 cash prize followed by Hazel Naicker of Tafta Lodge filling the third spot with a R200 cash prize.

In her story, Hazel Naicker wrote: “I will never forget the words that old friend said to me as long as you are active, curious and have a good sense of humour, you are never too old to speed down life’s highway.”

“Storytelling is one of the greatest tools we have to develop not just our curiosity and imagination, but also a sense of empathy and belonging. Storytelling and reading aloud allow us to build connections with each other by passing on knowledge and providing a shared experience while at the same time being important building blocks of literacy learning,” added Shamam.

Shamam said the Tafta team was greatly touched by the heartfelt moments experienced whilst reading the entries.

“These were all real experiences and intimate journeys into the hidden lives of ordinary people where each episode is an empathy shot in your arm,” said Shamam.

ENDS...

CONTACT:

For media enquiries contact:

Gail Samuels on: 031 332 3721 or email: gails@tafta.org.za or

Prevashni Naidu on 1 332 3721or email: prevashni@tafta.org.za

Website: www.tafta.org.za

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TAFTA.KZN/

Twitter: @TAFTA_SA

ABOUT Tafta â€" The Association for the Aged

Tafta is one of South Africa’s leading, registered non-profit organisation in Care in KZN.

Established in 1958, for more than 5 decades, Tafta has been the leading provider of Care focusing primarily on the needs of the elderly and vulnerable groups in Durban.

Our unique value proposition lies in creating value for clients and our partners with a key focus on outcomes and benefits. Our strength in healthcare, community outreach programmes and community development initiatives are our main differentiators.   We seamlessly integrate our services with best in class processes and programmes that maximise efficiency, quality, safety and service excellence.

Our Mission:

Our mission is to encourage and promote active ageing in older people-to live as independent members of the community for as long as possible, and to care for those who are no longer able to look after themselves. Our aim is to alleviate distress of the elderly and other vulnerable groups by using our resources in the most effective and efficient manner and where the need is greatest.

Our Vision:

“Leaders in innovative solutions for elders, inspiring a life worth living”