The Gogos Leadership Academy from Meadowlands Soweto celebrated their fifth anniversary in Bryanston.
The event was hosted on Woman’s Day and 26 gogos braved the chilly weather to come together and celebrate their roles as elderly women in the community.
The programme for the day was in two sections, firstly a working session to reflect on the journey, brainstorming and planning for other projects while the second session was to celebrate the wise, caring and committed elderly women.
The academy was started by Malerato Molobi and Bridget Gore in 2013. According to Molobi, it originally entailed honouring and pampering the gogos with gifts and hosting motivational talks.
Molobi said it eventually grew into a crocheting and food distribution project. Food parcels were distributed to needy families each year in the areas of Braamfisher, Meadowlands, Snake Park, Dobsonville, Orlando and Slovoville.
“We want to honour these women and to acknowledge the role they play and allow them to take their rightful place in society, they still have a role to play,” added Molobi.
“The love of the gogos has also included the mkhulus, the men who have been neglected by the community. We have gogos who are wheelchair-bound in their 90s who are active in heart and body.”
She said the gogos were the drivers of this ship and she believed every woman, regardless of status, profession or religion, is called to take rightful roles doing simple acts for their families, neighbourhoods and communities.
“We are now expanding the project and will run workshops in September where the gogos will identify the needs of their communities.”
Molobi other projects identified included the counselling of schoolchildren to reduce depression and the suicide rate, home industry projects, crafts, childcare, healthcare and other entrepreneurship ventures.
Cecilia Xazi, one of the gogos said, “This was a special day. I was fascinated by the simple ideas that were shared. Simple ideas that can start businesses and make a difference in the community.”
What is the importance of gogos in your community? Share your stories with us on the Sandton Chronicle Facebook page
