To keep on learning is not only good for your well-being – it is indeed a way to expand your horizons.
The University of the Third Age (U3A) is a unique, innovative and global educational organisation for people aged 50 and older, regardless of formal education or work experience.
It offers older adults the opportunity to continue their learning and personal development in a wide variety of activities and subjects through part-time study and social interaction.
In France, for instance, the U3A offers non-credit courses in a wide variety of subjects and is open to anyone who wishes to learn.
In general U3A offers opportunities for lifelong learning, social interaction and participation in the community.
There are currently 1 600 U3A groups in 16 countries around the world, with over 280 000 members.
Cape Town (U3A-CT) was the springboard from which all U3A activities in South Africa took off. It was launched at the millennium, and has grown by leaps and bounds, splitting itself and giving birth to offshoots along the way.
U3A-SA is an organisation of which the aims entail the education and stimulation of mainly retired people – those in their third “age” of life. It recognises the fact that most people of retirement age have something to contribute and the emphasis has been on sharing, without formal educational links.
There is no universally accepted model for the U3A. It offers something for everyone, with classes, talks and activities that cover everything from art to history to current affairs.
When people reach retirement age, they often find that they have a lot of time on their hands. They may have been used to working all their lives and suddenly having all that free time can be daunting. This is where a U3A can help retirees who want to continue learning and meeting new people.
The local U3A meets regularly and was founded in 2008 by Inez Greenstine after her retirement from the Judicial Services Commission. She was the first chairperson and was assisted by a committee of four.
Since then the committee has been chaired by Bernard Meyer, Hedwig van Coller, Tiney Krause and Pam Gradwell (present chairperson).
The first speaker to address the U3A Bloemfontein was Judge Edwin Cameron.
Meetings used to be held at private residences.
As membership numbers grew, other venues had to be found. Lately meetings are mostly held at the Hebrew Synagogue Hall or the hall in the Sewe Damme Retirement Village.
Apart from various talks on interesting topics and current affairs, activities of the Bloemfontein branch include a film club, music club, literature club and art appreciation.
Outings to places of interest are often arranged.
For example, during the past year the Supreme Court of Appeal, the rebuilt City Hall, Naval Hill Planetarium, Old Presidency and the historical town of Philippolis were visited, amongst others.
The cost for attending meetings is R10 for members and R20 for non-members.
All persons older than 50 are welcome.
Prof. John Shipley was the guest speaker in February.
At today’s meeting Dave Reynolds will talk at the meeting about the Great Elephant Debate, and on 13 March Prof. Alicia Sheriff will share her knowledge on the latest research in oncology. This promise to be a very informing session.
Keep an eye out for the U3A meetings, as published regularly in the diary in the printed BloemNews.
