THE Association for the Aged (Tafta) is commemorating its 60th anniversary with a special edition calendar featuring a unique group of ‘super’ models – the Association’s residents.
The elders, who were all dressed by leading Fashion brand Shwe…The Wearable Library, posed against the backdrop of iconic Durban locations such as the Durban Country Club and Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Lucky Miss January and December, Charmaine Govender, (64), enjoyed the pampering of having her hair and makeup done professionally for the first time by make-up artist Jacky Jetnarayan and stylist Tasleem Hamid.
Thara Mungar, (83), who was the eldest resident to participate in the calendar photo shoot, said the experience had taken her out of her comfort zone but made her extremely proud of herself. “These were opportunities we’d never been presented with when we were young. I loved the pampering; it brought back memories of my youth,” she said.
The thought that resonated with all the calendar’s participants was the fact that it transcended the traditional outlook on beauty. Resident Dudu Khumalo, (73), said: “I enjoyed it. I’d never imagined myself in a calendar when I was younger, and it makes one realise at this age, there is so much more to beauty than what we see if, even at my age, I can be a ‘calendar girl’.”
Tafta CEO Femada Shamam said the decision to feature their elders in the calendar, instead of using models, was a significant one.
“We believe sincerely that our elders truly do inspire a life worth living and we were happy to use the opportunity that the calendar presented to illustrate how beauty can indeed transcend the boundaries of youth and age. I believe the end product showcases this point; every one of our very special Tafta brand ambassadors featured in the calendar radiates the beauty of wisdom and a life well lived,” she said.
The calendars, which the association has handed out to staff to commemorate its 60th anniversary, proved to be a labour of love for the production team, who each gave of their time and resources to support the effort at no cost.
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Brazillian Julia Franco, who runs the successful Shwe… the wearable library enterprise, has been working with the Tafta knitting club, a group of elders who contribute to the Shwe line with their hand-knit swatches, for the past two years. Franco said of the experience: “We were thrilled to dress the calendar participants. The Tafta knitting club has contributed to the growth of the brand, and it’s been such a rewarding experience for us all.”
Graham Carruthers, a photographer who has worked in the industry for 17 years, said he was extremely happy to help out. Carruthers’ affiliation to the Association dates back to Tafta’s opening in 1958, when the male-only NPO Roundtable No1, helped get Tafta off the ground with funding.
The public interested in purchasing the limited edition calendar to support the NPO may contact info@tafta.org.za.
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