Femada Shamam

Chief Executive, The Association for the Aged (TAFTA) (Durban, South Africa) Femada Shamam has been working in the field of care and support to the elderly for 24 years. In 1999, she joined the The Association for the Aged (TAFTA) team as a social worker. TAFTA is a Durban-based NPO that caters to the needs of older people. The organization provides services and support to approximately 5,500 people. Currently, Femada serves as Chief Executive Officer and is responsible for leading a team driven by TAFTA’s purpose of making dignity, growth and a meaningful life a realistic prospect for all elders. Her role at the organization is also to provide representation at local and provincial forums with a view to lobbying and advocating for rights of the elderly. Her social work and bachelor of commerce training sets the foundation to create a balance between understanding the need and implementing sustainable models of care and support. During her career in the aging field, she completed various courses on Social Gerontology through partnership with North West University and the International Institute on Ageing. She has been involved in training and development of internal staff as well as other stakeholders in this field in the Durban area. She has also presented papers locally as well as at international conferences. Femada’s passion is exploring new models of care and and supporting leadership development in this field. On a global platform, Femada serves as the Vice Chairperson of the Global Ageing Network which is a network that spans 60 countries comprised of individual providers and PEAK bodies representing providers and the interests of older adults. Their mission is to connect, learn and share across borders with the aim of ensuring that all older adults can age with quality, dignity and respect. She also serves as a Board member of the Commonwealth Association for the Ageing (CommonAge). This organisation aims to promote and disseminate learning, experience and best practice in aged care service design, development, provision and assurance throughout the Commonwealth with the purpose of improving the quality of life for older people in Commonwealth countries. Femada is the president of the South African Gerontological Association.