VOC meets Golden Oldies
Presenter Yusuf Fisher meets one of his Golden Oldies
Aishah Cassiem
It was a day of good food, conversation and a chance to catch up
with old friends as hundreds of 'Golden Oldies' gathered for the 2nd
annual Golden Hour Meet and Eat Luncheon, hosted by VOC and Gift of the
Givers. Nearly 900 guests showed up at the Country Manor Hall in
Schaapkraal on Saturday. The hall was beautifully decorated to an
Eastern theme and guests lined up with their beautiful fur coats, silk
abayas and classic suits waiting to get their seat.
The event broadcasted live during the Golden Hour show with Yusuf Fisher between 1.30pm and 3pm on the day giving guests an opportunity to meet their favourite presenters and the rest of the VOC staff members behind the scenes. Live dedications from the crowd were also taken through out the show. Popular voices Aeysha Laatoe, Jamiel Wallace and Mugamad Zain Majiet were amongst the presenters hosting the event and handing out prizes to the elderly.
The guests were treated to a five course lavish meal, while entertainers took the stage getting the crowd hyped up. Popular qasidah band Ijaaz stirred the crowd with their harmonious voices and The Happy Boys got them moving. Other performers serenaded the elderly with a few great hits of the 1940’s and 1960’s by artists such as Engelbert Humperdinck, Frank Sinatra, Tom Jones and other vocal legends. Traditional music was not ruled out and live entertainment continued from 4pm to 5pm concluding with a qasidah group and a Cape Malay choir.
“The entertainment was great and I must say VOC did a great job with this year’s entertainment. I’ve never enjoyed myself like this before and I found myself hopping out of my seat,” enthused one guest Rabia Amjal. Many tickets were sponsored to elderly people within Cape Town - those who would not have been able to afford them. VOC marketing manager Sukayna Johaardien said the station understood that many of those most eager to attend were pensioners who earned very little. It was therefore vital that VOC accommodate them in order to keep the station in touch with its elderly listenership.
“This is my first year that I attended one of VOC’s functions after the station sponsored me a ticket. I was able to just relax and take a break, enjoy myself with the entertainment and the people. I am a big fan of the radio station and I was given the greatest opportunity to meet my favourite presenters today,” said 65 year old Zaheedah Khan from Bontehewel. Khan said she was somewhat star-struck, surprised to meet the people behind these familar voices. "I am a big fan of Mugamad Zain and Faadil Toefy of the Saturday Live show and I’m hoping to get my picture taken with them to show my daughters,” she added.
99 year old Hajja Zainab Salie from Claremont could not control her excitement as Boeta Yusuf, as he is fondly known, introduced her to the crowd. Talking about her experience in Makkah last year, Salie had guests in tears. “Alhamdulillah in Ramadan of last year, I went to the most beautiful place. My grandchild Fagmie was with me when I did my tawaaf in my wheel chair. I just want to say that the day will come for all that there will not be a better and more beautiful place than Makkah Inshallah,” she recalled.
Sitting in a wheel chair in her blue and black abaya, Salie had the audience gripped as she talked about appreciating life. She was escorted to the VOC luncheon in a limousine describing it as one of the funniest and exciting moments in her life. “I thought to myself 'Ya Allah if you come to this age what are you doing in such a car?' I sit and thought to myself 'oh my',” Salie said, adding that she was not used to those type of ‘posh’ cars.
97 year old Galiemah Abrahams and 93 year old Fatimah Cassiem were also introduced to the crowd as they expressed their devotion to the station saying that VOC has been part of their household for as long as they can remember. “VOC has playing in my home since the start, always giving beautiful words to our Muslim community. When I switch on the radio, I am positive I will always hear something interesting. Not a day goes by without the frequency being played in our home," said Abrahams.
The senior citizens gushed about how they were given an opportunity to meet up with people from various communities and reconnect with those they have not seen in ages. Ragieb Ebrahiem from Grassy Park said that the luncheon was like a big family reunion. “The luncheon is a fantastic opportunity to just relax and have a great time. I have also met a lot of my friends and relatives here today that I haven’t seen in a while. Not only have I met people I know but also my favourite presenters. Being a supporter for the past 17 years, I will continue to have my radio on 24/7," he said.
The event continued into the evening as guests stayed to have their photographs taken with presenters. Gift of the Givers staff members handed out goody bags to guests on their way out, leaving them with a little memory and smile for attending this year’s event. Johaardien said she was overwhelmed by the positive feedback, adding that it would be hard work trying to better next year's event, as the bar had been set very high.
"Alhamdulillah, everything went every smoothly and it was a remarkable success. It was intense work behind the scenes, but nothing we would not do again. These are our most ardent listeners, and without them we would not be here today. A huge shukran to all that supported us and we ask that you continue to keep us in your dua's Insha-Allah." VOC (Aishah Cassiem)
The event broadcasted live during the Golden Hour show with Yusuf Fisher between 1.30pm and 3pm on the day giving guests an opportunity to meet their favourite presenters and the rest of the VOC staff members behind the scenes. Live dedications from the crowd were also taken through out the show. Popular voices Aeysha Laatoe, Jamiel Wallace and Mugamad Zain Majiet were amongst the presenters hosting the event and handing out prizes to the elderly.
The guests were treated to a five course lavish meal, while entertainers took the stage getting the crowd hyped up. Popular qasidah band Ijaaz stirred the crowd with their harmonious voices and The Happy Boys got them moving. Other performers serenaded the elderly with a few great hits of the 1940’s and 1960’s by artists such as Engelbert Humperdinck, Frank Sinatra, Tom Jones and other vocal legends. Traditional music was not ruled out and live entertainment continued from 4pm to 5pm concluding with a qasidah group and a Cape Malay choir.
“The entertainment was great and I must say VOC did a great job with this year’s entertainment. I’ve never enjoyed myself like this before and I found myself hopping out of my seat,” enthused one guest Rabia Amjal. Many tickets were sponsored to elderly people within Cape Town - those who would not have been able to afford them. VOC marketing manager Sukayna Johaardien said the station understood that many of those most eager to attend were pensioners who earned very little. It was therefore vital that VOC accommodate them in order to keep the station in touch with its elderly listenership.
“This is my first year that I attended one of VOC’s functions after the station sponsored me a ticket. I was able to just relax and take a break, enjoy myself with the entertainment and the people. I am a big fan of the radio station and I was given the greatest opportunity to meet my favourite presenters today,” said 65 year old Zaheedah Khan from Bontehewel. Khan said she was somewhat star-struck, surprised to meet the people behind these familar voices. "I am a big fan of Mugamad Zain and Faadil Toefy of the Saturday Live show and I’m hoping to get my picture taken with them to show my daughters,” she added.
99 year old Hajja Zainab Salie from Claremont could not control her excitement as Boeta Yusuf, as he is fondly known, introduced her to the crowd. Talking about her experience in Makkah last year, Salie had guests in tears. “Alhamdulillah in Ramadan of last year, I went to the most beautiful place. My grandchild Fagmie was with me when I did my tawaaf in my wheel chair. I just want to say that the day will come for all that there will not be a better and more beautiful place than Makkah Inshallah,” she recalled.
Sitting in a wheel chair in her blue and black abaya, Salie had the audience gripped as she talked about appreciating life. She was escorted to the VOC luncheon in a limousine describing it as one of the funniest and exciting moments in her life. “I thought to myself 'Ya Allah if you come to this age what are you doing in such a car?' I sit and thought to myself 'oh my',” Salie said, adding that she was not used to those type of ‘posh’ cars.
97 year old Galiemah Abrahams and 93 year old Fatimah Cassiem were also introduced to the crowd as they expressed their devotion to the station saying that VOC has been part of their household for as long as they can remember. “VOC has playing in my home since the start, always giving beautiful words to our Muslim community. When I switch on the radio, I am positive I will always hear something interesting. Not a day goes by without the frequency being played in our home," said Abrahams.
The senior citizens gushed about how they were given an opportunity to meet up with people from various communities and reconnect with those they have not seen in ages. Ragieb Ebrahiem from Grassy Park said that the luncheon was like a big family reunion. “The luncheon is a fantastic opportunity to just relax and have a great time. I have also met a lot of my friends and relatives here today that I haven’t seen in a while. Not only have I met people I know but also my favourite presenters. Being a supporter for the past 17 years, I will continue to have my radio on 24/7," he said.
The event continued into the evening as guests stayed to have their photographs taken with presenters. Gift of the Givers staff members handed out goody bags to guests on their way out, leaving them with a little memory and smile for attending this year’s event. Johaardien said she was overwhelmed by the positive feedback, adding that it would be hard work trying to better next year's event, as the bar had been set very high.
"Alhamdulillah, everything went every smoothly and it was a remarkable success. It was intense work behind the scenes, but nothing we would not do again. These are our most ardent listeners, and without them we would not be here today. A huge shukran to all that supported us and we ask that you continue to keep us in your dua's Insha-Allah." VOC (Aishah Cassiem)
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