Forty-five Rand Aid Association employees were honoured at the association’s long-service awards at the Tarentaal Retirement Village hall on August 22.
Since the awards were established 19 years ago, 1 667 people have been recognised for services ranging from five to 45 years. In total, this represents a staggering 14 165 years.
The star of this year’s awards was Paulina Namo, the nursing service manager at the Thembalami Care Centre.
Namo received an award for 40 years of service.
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She started working at Rand Aid in 1984, the year in which Archbishop Desmond Tutu won the Nobel Peace Prize.
That year, cheese cost R5.99p/kg, a 250g packet of bacon cost R1.95 and a packet of Bakers Tennis Biscuits cost 79c.
During her four decades at Rand Aid, Namo has seen significant changes in the country and her profession.
However, what has not changed is her dedication to the well-being of the people in her care.
Initially, Namo was employed as a ward sister at the Bramley Old Age Home and was part of the Wedge Gardens Treatment Centre team for several years before being promoted to a nursing service manager at Wedge Gardens and Thembalami in 2007.
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“Paulina was continuously promoted, first at Bramley to night superintendent, overseeing two frail care wards and the flats and cottages,” said Ayanda Matthews, who heads up Rand Aid’s compliance and social react division.
When the Lombardy East property that today houses the Thembalami Care Centre and the Max Ordman Deaf Association (MODA) was acquired and renovated, she moved with the older residents as their matron.
Namo attributes her work ethic to her strict grandmother and the time she spent finishing her schooling at a convent in England.
She believes her best achievements were mentoring and supporting the care workers and enrolled nurses at Thembalami.
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The people she took under her wing went on to pursue nursing careers internally and at various provincial and private institutions.
Under her guidance, 15 enrolled nursing assistants (ENAs) qualified as enrolled nurses. One completed her professional nursing qualification and recently was promoted to a professional nurse.
“Paulina also guided a staff member to become a qualified paramedic, who was employed recently by the emergency services,” said Matthews.
“She also supervised and trained many care workers and ENA students from the Arwyp Training Institute and Lunghile Nursing Schools, some of whom were placed at Thembalami.
“I salute Paulina for her dedication to the nursing fraternity. Not only does she have a passion for nursing, but she also has compassion for the elderly she diligently serves.”
Matthews said Noma had touched the hearts of many a resident and imparted this compassion to the staff.
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• Awards for 20 years of service
George Vermeulen, Rand Aid’s grounds manager at the head office, was recognised for 20 years of service.
With a mechanical background, having worked in a motor vehicle workshop and as a service technician at a tobacco company, Rand Aid’s management believed Vermeulen would be the perfect person for the Rand Aid workshop. He started his Rand Aid career in July 2004 as a mechanic.
“George took responsibility for the maintenance and repairs of the Rand Aid vehicles until he fell ill.
“After his recovery in 2007, he was reallocated to the grounds and became the grounds manager. He completed an intensive horticultural training course that enabled him to take the gardens to the next level,” said Matthews.
“George is well known to all the residents and staff. He is always willing to share his opinion and get stuck in when a job needs doing. For 20 years, George has contributed towards the maintenance and improvement of Rand Aid.”
• Awards for 15 years of service
The Ron Smith Care Centre housekeeper, Portia Ngobeni, was awarded for 15 years of service.
She runs the linen room, manages the centre’s housekeeping team and is the stand-in supervisor for the Elphin Lodge Retirement Village domestic team when their supervisor is on leave. She also assists at the Elphin reception when they are short-staffed.
“We all know the twinkle in her eye but also the stern look,” said Matthews.
Mantji Makhwiting, an enrolled nurse at the Thembalami Care Centre, was also recognised for 15 years of service.
Mantji is in charge of the Ibis ward and the MODA section.
“She is loyal and humble and displays great empathy towards the special needs residents in her care.
“She is always willing to assist in an emergency and is a great team leader known for boosting morale and encouraging interpersonal connections,” said Matthews.
