Jane Linley-Thomas on why our elders need to be seen, heard and celebrated
From storytelling and community projects to initiatives like the Gogolympics, Jane Linley-Thomas is creating spaces where dignity, joy, and belonging can thrive.
From radio waves to community impact, Jane Linley-Thomas is proving that storytelling, kindness and creativity can transform lives and restore dignity for South Africa’s elders.
The broadcaster turned social entrepreneur is the founder of Hello Poppy, a non-profit organisation dedicated to celebrating, connecting and supporting older South Africans through storytelling, creativity and meaningful human connection.
Her initiatives include heartwarming community projects and the Gogolympics — a vibrant event that shines a spotlight on the gogos of the Valley of a Thousand Hills, offering not just sport, but friendship, belonging and joy.
But her journey was never straightforward.
After leaving East Coast Radio, Jane was uncertain about her next chapter. Inspired by her grandmother’s community work and her own encounters with the elderly, she channelled her energy into creating Hello Poppy. For her, it was inevitable — the elders had always been at the centre of her path.
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Hello Poppy reminds us not to forget the generation that built the society we live in today. While many elders feel overlooked, Jane believes they are the greatest storytellers of our lives. “The youth has the curiosity, and the elders have the wisdom,” she says.
Through the Gogolympics, Jane is giving gogos the chance to connect, laugh and belong. Yet she insists this is only the beginning. Sustainability and long-term support for these communities remain her focus. “Our elders need us,” she emphasizes.
Her reflections go beyond community work. Jane speaks candidly about fear, self-awareness and personal agency. “I’ve lived with fear for years and you know what — fear has a taste. The longer you keep it with you it starts to taste like metal. You eventually get tired from operating from a place of fear. Investigate the relationship you have with yourself. Most of the time, the only thing that is stopping you is YOURSELF.”
Today, Jane continues to build Hello Poppy as a space where dignity, joy and belonging thrive — ensuring that elders are seen, heard and celebrated.
And that’s exactly why she’s our Woman Crush Wednesday.
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