Step right up. But hold the popcorn, this is no ordinary circus.

WHAT do you get when you mix glitter, greasepaint, decades of wisdom, and a touch of mischief?

A project called Life as a Circus and a group of older adults who prove that the spotlight doesn't fade with age.

Created as a joyful celebration of life and identity, Life as a Circus invited elderly participants from Tafta homes to step into the magical world of circus characters: ringmasters, clowns, jugglers, and more, each role tailored to reflect their personality and journey.

The campaign’s creator, Jane Linley - Thomas, media personality and stylist together with artist Jonathan Mazoue, photographer Brett van Dort and Make -Up artist Kendyl Benjamin,  conceptualised a project that would create a space where the elderly could step into roles that spark imagination and remind them, and us, that life at any age can be “full of colour, play, and wonder.”

“The circus has always carried a sense of magic, wonder, and joy. It felt like the perfect mirror for their lives, full of triumph, hardship, humour and love. Each participant became a character in the circus, not to escape their reality, but to celebrate it,” said Linley -Thomas, former presenter of East Coast Radio.

She said what began as an idea for bold portraits quickly evolved into something far more profound. She imagined costumes, colour and playfulness as a way to spark joy.

“But as the project unfolded, it became about so much more, it was about honouring each person’s story and finding the perfect circus role that brought that to life,” she said. 

Each participant was chosen in collaboration with Tafta, drawing from different branches to create a vibrant tapestry of personalities. Some residents were instantly excited; others needed a little encouragement. But once the costumes went on and the camera began to click, something magical happened.

“They lit up,” she recalled. “Even those who were shy at first ended up laughing, posing, and embracing the moment.”

The selection of each circus role was rooted in storytelling

“We sat down with each person, listened to their life stories, and together found a character that reflected their essence. It wasn’t about assigning roles, it was about discovering them,” she said.

There were moments on set that moved even the organisers to tears. One came just as the final photo was taken.

“One of the women came up to us, teary-eyed, and said, ‘You don’t realise how much this means to us.’ That’s when we knew—we weren’t just taking pictures. We were creating something that spoke to dignity, joy, and being seen,” said Linley-Thomas.

The Cast

Florence Hillman, 82, who has lived at Tafta for the past 10 years, found a personal connection in her role.

“It reminded me of my sons in the Boys’ Brigade,” she shared. “The moment I put on my costume, I felt that memory come alive again.” Her message about growing old was; “You can’t stop the ageing process, but you can learn to live with it. Life is a circus - so enjoy the ride.”

Ruth Naomi Stapersma, 81, a retired nursing tutor and long-time Tafta resident, embraced the project with open arms.

“It was such fun,” she said. “Something for us and our families to laugh about. It also revealed sides of people we didn’t know about.” Her highlight was seeing everyone arrive in costume, transformed and glowing. “Keep going for as long as you can. Good habits can help keep you strong, but nothing is guaranteed. So have faith, love, and hope.”

Ravi Moodley, 63, found his circus character a true reflection of himself.

“I absolutely loved stepping into that role,” he said. “My favourite moment was the group shoot with everyone together. In a single frame, you could feel the energy and capture the spirit of the entire day,” said Moodley. For him, the project carried a simple but powerful message: “We’re never too old to have fun or to be unapologetically ourselves. Doing things out of the norm makes life more interesting and meeting new people helps us grow emotionally,” said Moodley.

Confidence

When Linley -Thomas approached Tafta with the campaign, Femada Shamam, CEO of Tafta and a long-time advocate for creative, person-centred ageing, didn’t hesitate. She knew the potential of what Linley Thomas had in mind.

“Having previously worked with Jane on our Sawubona campaign, I was already familiar with the energy she brings. Her storytelling talents, and the rapport she has with our residents, made it an easy yes. I knew it would be something special,” said Shamam.

The project was about dignity, inclusion, and reminding society that older adults are still vibrant, creative, and full of life.

“Our residents aren’t just participants. They become living pieces of artwork, beautiful photographs and stories that will impact future generations. Through this, they felt empowered and seen,” she said.

Behind the curtains

And the impact wasn’t fleeting. Beyond the camera flashes, Shamam noted real, lasting shifts in confidence and community spirit among the participants.

“They’ve become more willing to take part in other events and campaigns. There’s a growing sense of responsibility not just to themselves, but to society. They’re realising their voices matter,” said Shamam.

In her view, Life as a Circus also tapped into something much larger, the global movement around healthy ageing.

“The United Nations launched the Decade of Healthy Ageing in 2021, and this project fits beautifully into that vision. It promotes inclusion, lifelong learning, and connection, all the things that make ageing not just bearable, but meaningful,” she said.

For Tafta, being part of such a creative, emotionally rich initiative isn’t just good PR—it’s a legacy.

“Projects like this leave a footprint,” Shamam said. “When we look back, we’ll be able to say: Yes, we contributed something meaningful to this global movement. Storytelling captures history, inspires hope, and connects generations. That’s powerful.”

Balancing the whimsical tone of a circus with the dignity of age and personal history wasn’t  simple and photographer Brett van Dort said he was mindful not to let the fantasy overshadow the truth.

“There was definitely a creative challenge in finding that balance. You want the magic, but you also want meaning. The set we built for the shoot really helped because it immersed everyone in the world of the circus. That environment gave them the freedom to explore their characters deeply. The joy and imagination they brought to it, that’s what gave the final images their narrative strength,” said van Dort.

While he is no stranger to portrait photography, working with older subjects brought new insight and a shift in how he approached his craft.

“Sure, there were physical limitations at times. You’re not going to ask someone in their 80s to leap through the air like an acrobat. But those limitations actually pushed me to think differently. Instead of relying on movement, I had to find other ways to tell the story and I think that’s what made the shots so unique,” said van Dort.

Human Connection

In the end, the project became more than a creative collaboration. It was a lesson in presence, play, and human connection. 

The hope is that Life as a Circus doesn’t just end with beautiful portraits. Its creators want it to spark change.

“I hope it reminds people to see the elderly in their fullness, not just as residents in a home, but as vibrant individuals with humour, beauty, depth and soul. It doesn’t take a photoshoot to do that, it just takes time, attention and creativity,” said Linley-Thomas.

As the International Day of Older Persons approaches on Wednesday, October 1, the portraits will make their public debut as part of Tafta’s celebrations. In December, a larger exhibition will travel to Durban, Cape Town, and Johannesburg, pairing the photos with Mazoue’s original artworks to give viewers a deeper experience of the project’s spirit. The works will also be showcased and available online.

SUNDAY TRIBUNE