U3A celebrates 25 Years of lifelong learning

The University of the Third Age (U3A) non-profit celebrated its 25th anniversary last Thursday, August 28, at the Baxter Theatre. 

The U3A is a global non-profit that has branches in France, the United Kingdom, Central Europe, Canada, and Australia. The South African U3A branch was founded by couple, Sylvia and her late husband Arthur Schrire in the year 2000, where, for the first three years, it was held in the Savio Hall, Lansdowne, before moving to the Baxter Theatre in 2003, where they would have their monthly lectures.

The U3A movement would grow to have its Johannesburg branch in 2001, and within the Cape Metropolitan it would expand to locations like Athlone, the Atlantic Seaboard, Bloubergstrand, Delft, False Bay, Gugulethu, George, Helderberg, Mitchells Plain, the Overberg region, Stilbaai, Tygerberg, and the Cape Winelands.

Chairperson of the U3A, Avril Galp, said the organisation, which consists mainly of senior members, provides an opportunity for people to learn without having to write exams. “It is a wonderful opportunity for people who perhaps did not get out of school or university to learn something they may be interested in,” she said. Ms Galp said they have offered a wide variety of courses like astronomy, hiking, and many more. “Many of the seniors would enjoy being with one another,” she said.

The anniversary celebration was attended by over 300 members, and there was entertainment provided by mother and daughter singing duo, Judy Page and Kim Kallie, while the U3A Mitchells Plain Seniors Skills club did dancing, and U3A Gugulethu’s choir performed a few songs.

Founder of U3A in the country, Sylvia Schrire, 91, said she was delighted that the organisation could reach this milestone. “It seems to be the right thing at the right time, we have succeeded with huge membership, we have local U3A’s around the country, with over 15 000 members, and it gives all the people a lot of pleasure,” she said.

Chairperson of the U3A Mitchells Plain Seniors Skills club, Myrtle Jack, said their branch has been around for the past three years. “I love U3A and working with our seniors, I would go out of my way for them. Many of our seniors may have Parkinson’s and Alzheimer's, and we run various workshops to keep their minds busy,” she said.

Treasurer of the U3A Gugulethu branch, Mary Rashalala, said their branch has been around for the past 8 years. Ms Rashalala said they currently have over 100 members attending their U3A meetings at Gugulethu Library, where the seniors participate in activities like beading, crochet, knitting, cooking, and jogging. “I am very happy to be part of the U3A, I don’t miss one minute of our meetings and participate in the executive meetings as well,” she said.

Chairperson of U3A Johannesburg, Marcia Leveson, said they formed their U3A after picking it up from Ms Schrire, who found it in Cape Town. “It's been a wonderful experience being part of this organisation, which always gives all our members various things to do, like walking, visiting theatres, going on excursions, and having writing groups,” she said.

To find out more about becoming a member, contact Ms Schrire at 079 873 8899 or email sylvia.schrire@gmail.com and gwyroy@iafrica.com