KWAZULU-NATAL DOCTOR A CHAMPION OF ACTIVE AGEING

By Bongi Shozi

• Dr Gogo Dolly Sithole is a role model to senior citizens everywhere and a powerful reminder that life’s later years can be a time of continued growth, contribution, and joy.
• After retiring from an illustrious nursing career, Dr Sithole became a pillar of support for women facing health-related challenges.
• As a participant representing KwaZulu-Natal at the 2025 National Golden Games, Dr Sithole inspires others to embrace physical activity and social engagement as essential components of a healthy lifestyle.

Dr Gogo Dolly Sithole’s life is a remarkable tapestry of service, music, and advocacy, particularly in her later years.

After retiring from an illustrious nursing career in Philadelphia in the United States in 2014, she returned to South Africa with a renewed sense of purpose, dedicating herself to community healthcare and the welfare of senior citizens.

Settling in Cornubia, near uMhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal, she became a pillar of support for women facing health-related challenges, using her extensive experience to guide and empower them.

Recognising the growing need for structured support for the elderly, Dr Sithole took on the role of secretary for eThekwini Senior Citizens, an organisation committed to promoting healthy ageing and active living among older adults.

Her leadership has been instrumental in organising programmes that encourage physical activity, social engagement, and mental well-being for seniors.

Her passion for this cause is deeply personal, as she believes that ageing should not be a barrier to living a fulfilling and vibrant life.

Dr Sithole’s love for music has also found a new outlet in her work with senior citizens.

She often incorporates music into her community initiatives, organising choir performances and musical gatherings that bring joy and a sense of unity to participants. Her belief in the healing power of music aligns with her broader mission of fostering holistic well-being among the elderly.

Her involvement in the 2025 National Golden Games is a natural extension of her advocacy for active aging.

As a participant, she not only competes but also inspires others to embrace physical activity and social engagement as essential components of a healthy lifestyle. Her presence at the games underscores her lifelong commitment to breaking barriers and challenging stereotypes about aging.

Dr Sithole’s story is a powerful reminder that life’s later years can be a time of continued growth, contribution, and joy.

Through her work with eThekwini Senior Citizens and her participation in initiatives like the National Golden Games, she continues to champion the cause of active ageing, proving that age is no limit to making a meaningful impact.

Her legacy is one of resilience, compassion, and an unwavering dedication to uplifting others – qualities that have defined her extraordinary life.