MONTHLY MEETINGS – Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of the month – 9:15 for 10:00 at the North Rand Methodist Church, 174 Blandford Road, North Riding, Randburg.
(Exceptions: December/January holidays)
Joburg North members and visiting members please wear your U3A membership name tag.
Last minute changes to the programme are sometimes unavoidable. Please accept our apologies.
GENERAL INFORMATION – Joburg North Branch
Chairperson/Membership
Annette Rogers – annette.rogers671@gmail.com
Treasurer
Yumna Herman – yumna5lothian@gmail.com
Secretary / Newsletter
Beryl Sparks – bsparks@gen-x.co.za
Excursions/Lunches
Sylvia McDonald – sylvia54mcdonald@gmail.com
Webpage
Yumna Herman – yumna5lothian@gmail.com
Special Interest Groups
Dianne Brown – diannebrown2190@gmail.com
Speakers
Margaret Britz – MaggieBritz@hotmail.com
Webpage:
www.u3a-jhb-north.co.za
Banking details:
Joburg North U3A
Nedbank – Current Account
Account No: 1018401563
Membership Fee – R90 per annum
CAN ALZHEIMER’S BE PREVENTED?
Acknowledgement to Glynis Horning, who wrote this article for FAIRLADY JUNE 2025
After cancer, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most feared medical condition – ahead of stroke, HIV, diabetes and depression, according to a study published in Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics. And those most afraid are women – for good reason – as they are twice as likely to develop the debilitating and incurable condition because they live longer, and old age is the biggest risk factor for AD and dementia.
Observational studies from across the world concluded that dementia was linked to a number of lifestyle and environmental risk factors – which together account for 45% of dementia cases globally. “That means there is a huge opportunity to stop dementia before it ever starts”.
Dementia is an umbrella term for severe brain diseases that affect memory and thinking, resulting in changes in mood and personality, and problems with communicating and the ability to perform daily activities. Although age increases risk, dementia is not a normal act of aging. It typically affects people over 65 but can develop earlier.
Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI), of which ADASA is a member, reports that as life expectancy increases, the number of people with dementia in First World countries is expected to rise from 55 million in 2019 to 139 million in 2050.
Alzheimer’s is the best-known of the 100 forms of dementia. In this condition, an explanation is that abnormal protein deposits are laid down in the brain as plaques and tangles, leading to the death of healthy brain cells and the breakdown of connections between them. The causes are thought to be a combination of age-related changes in the brain, and genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors. And although we are unable to prevent ageing or to change genetic and some environmental factors, we can change those of lifestyle.
It is never too early or too late to start taking care of your brain health – but the Lancet Commission found that addressing different dementia risk factors is more important at certain life stages. The following percentages indicate the reduction in cases of dementia that would follow, if a specific risk factor was eliminated.
EARLY LIFE – NOT FINISHING HIGH SCHOOL (5%)
MIDLIFE – HEARING LOSS (7%)
HIGH LEVELS OF LDL CHOLESTEROL (7%)
DEPRESSION (3%)
INACTIVITY (2%)
SMOKING (2%)
ALCOHOL (1%)
HYPERTENSION (2%)
Special Interest Groups
SIG meetings have been very active with some new faces now heading up the activities. We offer our sincere thanks to those who gave so much their time and energy to their Groups over the years. A special welcome and many thanks to the ‘newbies’. We really appreciate people offering to step into co-ordination roles as this offers continuity.
After many years of enthusiastic input, Margaret Brits has handed over the Line Dancing Group. Thank you to Sandy Torrington for keeping the Line Dancers fit and active and for ensuring all the members are kept up to date with new and exciting dance sequences
So many members will miss the friendly and enthusiastic “walking couple” Sue and Neville Roberts who found interesting weekly destinations to explore on foot. A warm welcome and thanks to Veronica and Tony Conlon for taking over the reins and keeping so many members healthy and strong.
We really enjoy receiving detailed accounts of outings and bird counts from Angela Raine and her Monday birders. They have great success keeping records of local birds and migrants that frequent the parks and sanctuaries they visit. Some members take excellent photographs on these outings. The Photographic Group and Art Group have enthusiastic members who meet to share skills and techniques. Scrabble numbers are up and Canasta and the Creative Writing Groups have regular members attending their sessions. Swelling numbers would make for even greater interaction and interest.
There has been considerable interest in the Travel Group, and we urge members to step up and share travel experiences and co-ordinate presentations. We all have stashes of photographs and anecdotes to impart, so why not offer to share the fun and memories with us all?
A suggestion was put forward about starting a History Group – there are several ideas as to how the Groups are structured and function. Please indicate interest by signing your name on the ‘Interested in the History Group’ list at the next Speaker Meeting, and we will contact you with further details.
A reminder that on-line participation is the way of the future! Yumna is happy to use this medium so do not hesitate to contact her if you are interested in learning to play Bridge. The Joburg North U3A Committee thanks all members who take part in the Special Interest Groups and we look forward to a busy and productive year for our Special Interest Groups in 2026.
MAHJONG PLAYERS WANTED
Are you a Mahjong enthusiast? We’re looking for additional players to join our group!
Whether you’re an experienced player or a beginner, you’re most welcome.
Come enjoy good company, sharpen your skills, and have some fun.
We usually meet twice a month on Wednesday afternoons.
If you’re interested, please get in touch for further details.
We’d love to have you join us!Contact: Jean on 079 628 4747
IMPORTANT NOTICE
WE ARE APPEALING TO MEMBERS TO PLEASE CONSIDER BECOMING A COMMITTEE MEMBER – WE COULD REALLY USE SOME FRESH IDEAS AND EXPERTISE IN:
SOURCING SPEAKERS; ESTABLISHING ADDITIONAL SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS; SOURCING INTERESTING PLACES TO VISIT; FINDING AFFORDABLE RESTAURANTS TO TRY OUT ETC. ETC.
CONTACT ANNETTE FOR MORE INFORMATION – annette.rogers671@gmail.com
Previous Presenters
On 2 March Richard Brooksbank narrated a very interesting and enlightening talk entitled “Ma’s Laces” that told the deeply personal story of Louise Vergauwe-Lienaux (Richard’s great-grandmother).
She was a Belgian woman who created six unique lacework tableaus as a way to cope with the trauma, anger, loss, and sorrow she endured during the German invasion and occupation of Belgium in the Great War.
Our speaker on 7 April – Rohan Quince – delighted us with his vast knowledge of history and literature – and delighted us with an amusing and unforgettable talk!
Victorian novels deal with the important things in life: marriage, money, politics – and how to deal with foreigners! Victorian writers created marvellously memorable characters who quarrel and gossip and fall in love, while we chuckle at their human failings and foibles.
Using scenes from the novels, Rohan brings to life some of the eccentric characters who populate the fictional world of writers like Charles Dickens, George Elliot and Anthony Trollope.
OBITUARIES
We send our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of:
Dave Smith; Ron van Lear; Jean Higginson; Sahra Dunstan and Ann Diab (Monday walking group convenor).
May their dear souls Rest in Peace.
Excursions
Adene’s Flower Farm outing was most enjoyable, a fabulous day out and a lovely experience! Walking along rows and rows of beautiful blooms and choosing to cut your own stems!
Lunches
Another fun lunch at Pappachinos, which seems to be one of our favourites. Service, food and company always excellent! Thank you Sylvia for another successful outing!
All of you make it fun and enjoyable. Thanks for being there and making it memorable!!
North Rand Methodist Church Charity Shop / Book Shop
It is open every Tuesday and Friday from 09h00-12h00.
On the first weekend of every month, they are open on a Saturday as well from 07h30-13h00.
At the same time on the Saturdays, a lady called Carla comes and sets up her own tables and sells Antiques and Collectables. She has some beautiful pieces, and all her proceeds go towards Hospice.
Disclaimer
PLEASE NOTE: If you attend or participate in any of the group activities, you do so entirely at your own risk. Neither U3A nor the Leaders of a group will be responsible for the safety of those taking part. Also, if you are featured in photos taken at any activities, you have no objection to U3A publishing these in the Newsletters.