Femada Shamam (right) officially takes the reins as Chair of CommonAge from outgoing Chair, Mansur Dalal.

From Durban Social Worker to Global Champion for Older Persons – Femada Shamam Leads the Way in Ageing

At a time when the global conversation on ageing is more urgent than ever, Social Worker and Chief Executive Officer 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 recognizes her remarkable career but also elevates Tafta and South Africa’s influence in shaping policies and practices that affect older people internationally.

Early career

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. Along the way, she continued her studies, earning a first-class pass in Business Management, with a B.Com and Honours degree, combining professional management skills with social work expertise — a foundation that has shaped her leadership style.

Under her guidance, Tafta has flourished. The organization 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 of our residences have earned Eden Alternative accreditation, reflecting environments that foster meaningful engagement, autonomy, and quality of life. In 2025, Tafta was recognized as the third top brand in KwaZulu‑Natal and received the “Excellence in Active Ageing” award from Global Brands Magazine, affirming the organization’s innovation and impact under Femada’s leadership.

Femada’s personal life reflects the same values she brings to work. She balances work with family and raising her daughter, who has been a source of grounding throughout her career. These personal experiences inspire her belief in inter-generational connection, the importance of community, and the value of leadership that nurtures both people and programmes.

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 organization 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.

Her journey from a Durban Social Worker to a globally recognized leader is a testament to dedication, vision, and human-centred leadership. Her story illustrates that impactful leadership is rooted in empathy, professional rigor, and a belief that every older person deserves a life of dignity, opportunity, and engagement.