In this Newsletter
- A letter from Marlene Freislich (ADASA CEO)
- Regional News
From the desk of our CEO
Warm Season’s Greetings & Gratitude from ADASA – Partnering for Greater Impact in 2026.
As the year draws to a close, we at the Association for Dementia and Alzheimer’s of South Africa (ADASA NPC) extend our warmest season’s greetings and heartfelt gratitude for your continued dedication to social impact and community well-being.
This festive season, we take a moment to reflect on a year of significant progress and shared purpose — a year that brought hope, learning, and connection to communities across South Africa. Thanks to the support of partners, collaborators, and advocates like you, ADASA has achieved and exceeded its 2025 Awareness Campaign goals, reaching further than ever before.
Nationwide Awareness Events
Through our nationwide awareness events — from purple walks and tea gatherings to farm visits, rural outreach days, and remembrance ceremonies — we have strengthened public understanding of dementia and Alzheimer’s, while restoring dignity and independence for those affected.
Rural Focus & Media Awareness
Our Rural Focus extended dementia education to 18 rural towns, bringing vital information to farming communities where stigma and lack of resources remain critical barriers. These efforts were amplified through radio interviews with over 3.2 million listeners nationwide, newspaper features, and cross-sector collaborations that deepened awareness in both rural and urban areas.
We are deeply encouraged by the momentum these initiatives have created. Collaboration with elderly care facilities, retail centres, agricultural groups, municipalities, and corporate partners has helped expand ADASA’s national footprint and break the silence surrounding dementia — one community at a time.
Dementia Prevalence in South Africa
Yet, the need continues to grow. Dementia affects an estimated one in seven South Africans, and remains underrepresented in national data. In rural and township areas, limited access to care, cultural misconceptions, and social isolation persist.
Vision for 2026
As we look ahead to 2026, we invite your organisation to continue walking alongside us — to help scale this impact through funding, shared expertise, and partnership. Together, we can:
- Expand outreach programmes to underserved rural and farming communities.
- Strengthen caregiver training and support, improving quality of life for families and workers.
- Advance community education to challenge stigma and promote early diagnosis.
- Collaborate across sectors to integrate dementia awareness into broader wellness, health, and inclusion programmes.
Your partnership can help restore independence, dignity, and hope to thousands of South Africans living with dementia — and to the families who care for them.
We would be honoured to learn more about your funding criteria, partnership opportunities, and timelines to help us align our initiatives with your social responsibility and impact goals.
From all of us at ADASA, thank you for your compassion, vision, and commitment to change. May this festive season bring you peace, joy, and renewed inspiration for the year ahead.
With appreciation and warm regards,
Marlene Freislich
ADASA CEO
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