Mandela Day brings cheer to hospice patients

Despite their terminal illnesses, patients at the Alex Hospice and Rehabilitation Centre will forever remember 17 July as a day when strangers came to share a moment of love with them.

Many different visitors, in the form of schools and companies, visited the centre at various times throughout the day to provide selfless acts which benefited the centre’s patients. They chose the centre for its glaringly obvious need of support through material provision such as linen and clothes for patients, cleaning of the premises as it was short staffed, and also to provide food to ensure a constant supply of nutritious meals for the patients.

Damelin College brought staff members who prepared and served breakfast and lunch, cleaned the floors in the wards and ironed patients’ clothes. Their representative, Meltona Ledwaba, said the hospice was a place that deserved respect and should be supported by all as it accommodated mothers and fathers in need of assistance.

“Every one of us who is still young and in good health will one day age and require support. Our contribution is in preparation for this imminent future when we will also expect similar support, especially when afflicted with terminal illnesses,” said Ledwaba.

Her colleagues added that their support was for a worthy cause, reflected their belief in Mandela’s principles of reconciliation and caring, and was an honour and reward to them, as it put smiles on the faces of the elderly and the sick.

Ledwaba said the college’s plan was to continue the gesture to visit the hospice weekly and for students to carry out a variety of tasks there.

Other visitors included the Alex Field Band whose youngsters entertained the residents with marimba music. Patricia Twala of the band said it was gratifying to bring cheer to the patients. “Music is therapeutic with healing effects that touch on anyone,” she said. The band even made some of the patients temporarily forget their ailments and get out of their wheelchairs to show off their dancing skills.

The centre manager Grace Marutlulle said they were indebted to all who assisted them, as the needs of the patients were varied and sometimes they ran short of essential items. She added that the building, which was declared a heritage site, is old and requires constant maintenance but can’t be replaced with modern structures due to its heritage status. They were hoping to soon relocate to a new site in Eastbank where new structures and facilities will be erected. This, though, will be subject to the Joburg Property Company’s decision to award them with a long-term lease required by donors interested to support this project.

Details: Alex Hospice and Rehabilitation Centre 011 443 3525.