Gog’ Elizabeth ensures seniors enjoy their golden years

Unfavourable circumstances brought Gog’ Elizabeth Lubisi to Johannesburg for a better life.

“Leaving home was not easy but I wanted a better life,” said Elizabeth.

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Born in Limpopo, Elizabeth always had big dreams and promised herself she would achieve them.

When she came to Johannesburg she worked as a domestic worker but was later discovered by a casting agency so she started acting.

“I have always loved acting and when an opportunity presented itself I grabbed the chance with both hands,” said Elizabeth.

The mother of seven said life has its challenges but through them, she learned she had great strength within her.

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Elizabeth is the founder of the Golden Year’s Club which is based in Jeppestown at the Bertha Solomon Recreation Centre.

Despite also experiencing her own golden years, she looked around her community and realised the elderly in the area needed a social club.

“Elderly people are living in terrible conditions. Some have been forgotten by their families and now live in shacks all by themselves. You can see that some have lost hope. I started the club so they have a place where they can come together, socialise and feel loved. Receiving love is so important because it gives hope to a broken heart,” said Elizabeth.

She is passionate about the elderly and said more needs to be done for them as seniors still contribute positively to society.

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“Society can learn a lot from the elderly because they have wisdom. Just because they are old, does not mean they were never young. Some were teachers and feel they still have a lot to teach the youth. Society fails to realise their value.

“If the old could pass on skills, wisdom and advice to the young, it could make a big difference to our society. We have a lot of young people who need guidance and the elderly can offer them advice based on their life experiences,” said Elizabeth.

She said her wish is to see the elderly being cared for properly.

“We have retirement or old age villages but not all elderly people can afford them. Some look after the grandchildren and families with the grants they receive. We are grateful for the grants but they are not enough. Government has to look at other ways of caring for the seniors,” said Elizabeth.

She said the Golden Year’s Club provides the elderly with a support system. The club allows them to get together and share their struggle.

It is also a place where they can restore their dignity and feel a sense of belonging.

“All the different activities we do at the club mean something to them. The garden provides us with veggies which we cook for the seniors. Some even take vegetables home. We hope to sell what we make during our crafts and sewing class. We want to be self-sustainable because it’s difficult to get funding to buy material and other things we need for the club,” said Elizabeth.

She said they depend on donations to keep the club going.

“We ask anyone who can assist us with donations to contact us. We need material for sewing, a first aid kit and food parcels. We also invite people who would like to teach the elderly skills to come forward.”

“With the borrowed time we have as the elderly, we want to give back to our society. We just want the community to afford us the opportunity to share our skills and wisdom with them,” said Elizabeth.

Contact Elizabeth on 072 674 7561.

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