#YourStory – Always wear a smile

She is known as a pillar of strength and a symbol of stability, Mrs Dianne “Di” Hasapis shares a light her life.

February 11, 2016

Nqobile Brian Mchunu 4 minutes read

Mrs Dianne Hasapis says dedication and a smile can take you far in life.

An admin officer or public relations officer dealing with monetary donations at St Giles in Kensington, or a symbol of stability for her daughters.

That is how Mrs Dianne Hasapis, also referred to as Di, is known.

She and her husband, Harry, have been staying in Edenvale since 1983.

They have three daughters, twins and a younger daughter, and she remembers seeing Edenvale growing from a small suburb to a big town boasting various shopping centres.

Di grew up in Port Elizabeth.

“After finishing my matric I asked my mother to visit my sister who was already this side. My mother agreed but said I should come back after six months. Years later, I am still here,” she said.

Though it is not easy to believe, Di said she used to go clubbing in Hillbrow.

“That is where the action was. You could take your friends and go to different clubs and dance and have fun,” she said.

She shared a flat with two other girls.

“We believed spending money on food was a waste. We wanted to buy clothes, go out and have fun. One of the girls was working at a juice company. She would bring juice from work. So every night we would have juice and Jungle Oats. We would then go to a revolving club on the Hillbrow flats. Hillbrow was the place for a young person to be,” she said.

Her outlook changed when she met her husband, Mr Harry Hasapis.

“I liked and I still like his outlook on life,” she said.

“Marriage is a gamble. But if you find people who are like-minded it is easier,” she said.

Di sparkles when she speaks about her family.

“My husband has a lot of friends. He is a happy guy. Everyone who is down and needs uplifting goes to him. He is cool. Everybody who knocks at our door is welcomed. That’s how I was raised. I am grateful to have met a man like him,” said Di, who describes him as a strict father.

She describes their Edenvale home as warm and sometimes noisy as they enjoy hosting parties and even Greek dances.

“Our home has been a symbol of stability to most people. Our children’s friends know that even if the girls are not in, they are welcome. They can come in and have something to drink and have a chat,” Di said.

She looks for the positive in every situation that comes her way. She said she will always fondly remember her mother’s helper, Ms Mabel Mdayi.

“I was eight. I remember when coming from school, walking up that hill, she would be there with a smile. She used to make us toast. We would sit around the table and talk. She would ask, how are you. How was school? How did it go today? She gave us that warmth. She would invite us to her room and give us umngqusho(samp and beans),” Di said.

Deeply religious, Di said her advice to everyone is, “Be as the Saviour would like you to be. I have learnt that one should always try to smile at all times and under all circumstances. Share your gratitude. Be careful of what you say, because once it is out, you cannot take it back,” she said.

She said in any situation she tries to leave the situation a better person.

“Take the things that needs to be taken seriously, seriously,” she advised the youth. Di also encouraged parents to give their children love and time. “Love them. Give them the a strong and firm foundation in religion,” she said.

She said in her line of work she has learnt that taking care of a person with a disability can be challenging.

She urged families to place loved ones, depending on the disability, at homes such as St Giles.

“Without resources and knowledge, taking care of a person with a disability can be difficult. If you can afford to, place the person in a home. Stay involved in their lives and visit often.

“We have a home away from home here. But a little bit of cake on a birthday means a lot to residents,” Di said.

“Disability is not a curse. There is still a stigma that is levelled against people with a disability,” she said.

She called on those who wish to volunteer at St Giles to get in touch with her.

“Most of our work here needs professionals. We cannot let everyone feed our residents and exercise with them. That needs specially trained people. Any person can volunteer, not only professionals. You can simply visit our residents, spend time with them and read to them,” said Di.

Contact St Giles on 011 640-6529.

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