Hopetober spreads joy at Netcare Sunninghill Hospital
SUNNINGHILL – Healthcare workers at Netcare Sunninghill Hospital enjoyed classic songs, performed by South African vocalists, as a token of appreciation for their efforts.
Healthcare workers at Netcare Sunninghill Hospital enjoyed musical performances for the annual Hopetober campaign on October 5.
Hopetober started last year in order to help people and companies in the entertainment industry due to the Covid-19 lockdown regulations restricting and prohibiting events from taking place. Debra De Souza, one of the Hopetober organisers alongside Matthew Counihan and Yolanda Kimber, organised the double-decker Hopetober bus and spoke to companies to sponsor the idea.
De Souza said this was the second time Hopetober has gone around the country to spread hope to healthcare workers. “Last year we just visited Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town. We added in Durban this year.”
Nursing manager at the hospital, Johanne Kelham said everyone showed amazing team spirit and that the event released some energy from the trauma of the last year. “It really means a lot to the healthcare workers to have [people] come out and show their appreciation,” she said.
“This last [Covid-19] third wave was devastating to everyone, from families to nursing staff. We have had very few cases at the moment, which has given the staff a bit of a breather. It will take a long time for us to move forward from this.”
Well-known South African celebrities and vocalists led the songs list and encouraged unity and a great atmosphere. The group included singer Vicky Sampson, actors Craig Urbani and Mortimer Williams, Survivor SA 2019 runner-up Nicole Capper, singer and actress Leah van Niekerk and singer Lelo ‘Ramelo’ Ramasimong from The Voice 2019. They performed songs from artists such as Johnny Clegg, Michael Jackson, Brenda Fassie and Toto.
De Souza added, “We want to spread appreciation for the frontline workers, but also give some hope to patients and visitors at the hospitals. The turnout was absolutely phenomenal. Just to see them come out and relax was great. They get to go back to their workstations feeling revitalised.”
