Elderly Share Their 'I Once Was…' Stories in Heartwarming Video!

Photo Credit: Facebook / Huis Nuweland

All the most wonderful adventures once had, remembered again in one simple ‘I once was…’ video!

Cape Town, South Africa (08 October 2026) – A journalist in Zimbabwe. A clothes buyer for Woolworths. A high school teacher. A horse-riding instructor who was also a professional rider and stable manager. A proud jack of all trades!

They’re the ‘I once was…’ stories of the residents at Huis Nuweland, a retirement and assisted living facility in Cape Town, that has shared the most heartwarming video!

The short clip below was created by Huis Nuweland and shared by social welfare organisation Badisa, which runs older persons’ programmes.

Huis Nuweland says that it’s a privilege to care for people who have spent their lives caring, creating, working and giving so much to others.

“Behind every smile is a lifetime of stories, passions, professions, memories and WISDOM.” it shares.

We don’t always think about the person who once reported the news, or taught a classroom full of teenagers, or chose the fashion that went up on racks many decades ago. Every resident in every home has a story like that, and many of them are rarely asked to tell it.

Badisa shared the video in the spirit of Older Persons Month, which celebrates ‘respect.’ Its message is that respect means seeing the whole person, not only who they once were, but who they are today.

‘Respecting our elders’ may sound rather old-fashioned, but it is really one of the most valuable anybody can do. Older people have lived through changes we’ve only read about, built much of what we now take for granted, and learned lessons we’d do well to hear first-hand. Being listened to tells them that they still matter and that their story is still worth hearing, which is something every one of us wants to feel, at any age.

The comments section was wholesome. People thanked the residents for their contributions and for making the world a better place.

David Covell wrote: “Thank you all for your contributions. We sure could use folks like you today!”

Mary Chaniewycz said: “Thank you for making the world a better place.”

It doesn’t take much to show some love and respect to elders. Here are a few ways to honour the older people in your community this Older Persons Month!

Ask about the “I once was…” because everyone has one. Ask a grandparent, a neighbour or the gogo down the road what theirs is.
Pop in for tea. A cup of tea, some biscuits and half an hour of your time can be the highlight of someone’s week.
Invite an older person for Sunday lunch, or take a plate round to someone who lives alone.
Help with the small stuff, like a lift to the shops, a bit of help with a cellphone or a hand with the garden goes a long way.
A visit to a local retirement home is also great! Many would love your company, and some welcome volunteers. Call ahead to ask what works for them.
Say thank you, friends. Tell them what they’ve given your family and community. It means more than you think.