CHAMPION FOR OLDER PERSONS - TAFTA
- Business Sense
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Updated: 14 hours ago
At a time when the global conversation on ageing is more urgent than ever, social worker and chief executive officer of Tafta, Femada Shamam stands out as a leader whose personal journey and decades of impact have transformed thousands of lives. In 2026, she takes a historic step onto the world stage as Chair of the Commonwealth Association for Ageing (CommonAge), building on her prior experience as vice chair and her longstanding advocacy for older persons across the Commonwealth.
This appointment not only recognises her career but also elevates Tafta and South Africa’s influence in shaping policies and practices that affect older people internationally. Femada’s career began in 1999 when she joined The Association for the Aged (Tafta) as a newly qualified social worker and service centre organiser at John Dunn House.
From the start, she brought a deep sense of empathy and dedication to elder care. Over the next 25 years, she steadily rose through the ranks, becoming head of Tafta’s Social Agency in 2003, chief operations officer in 2016, and chief executive officer in 2017. Under her guidance, Tafta has f lourished. The organisation continuously improves on ways to serve over 1 800 older persons in-house annually, while reaching tens of thousands more through community engagement, upskilling programmes, advocacy campaigns, and wellness initiatives.
Organisation’s Achievements
Since 2019, three residences have earned Eden Alternative accreditation, reflecting environments that foster meaningful engagement, autonomy, and quality of life. In 2025, Tafta was recognised as the third top brand in KwaZuluNatal and received the “Excellence in Active Ageing” award from Global Brands Magazine, affirming the organszation’s innovation and impact under Femada’s leadership. Globally, Femada has long been a prominent voice for older persons.
Having served as vice chair and now chair of CommonAge, she promotes age friendly policies, advocates for the rights and responsibilities of older persons, and fosters international collaboration. She participates actively in the Global Ageing Network, the Pass It On Network, the Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People (GAROP) and other international forums, contributing to discussions at the International Federation on Ageing (IFA) and Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings (CHOGM). Through these platforms, she brings insights from Tafta’s innovative programmes to influence global approaches to ageing, amplifying the experiences of older persons and advancing systemic change.
This appointment carries significance far beyond personal recognition. For Tafta, it positions the organisation as a leader influencing global policies and best practices for older persons. For South Africa, it amplifies the nation’s voice in international ageing discourse. And for older persons, it ensures their dignity, rights, and responsibilities are championed at the highest levels. Femada sees this role as a unique opportunity to inspire an age friendly world, demonstrating that ageing can be a period of purpose, engagement, and meaningful contribution.
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