Local farmer and gospel singer, Nico De Jager organised the well attended event.
The event was held in memory of a young resident of Tzaneen, Juan Venter who lost his battle against cancer in December last year.
Rigardt and Ingrid Linde, Dirk Venter, Wimpie Mostert, Marlie and Jansen van der Walt all performed at the function.
The guests were addressed by the Tzaneen Care Group chair person, Yasmeen Moosa, guest speakers, dr Hercules Malan, oncologist and dr Gert van der Merwe, surgeon.
Smit Garrun brought the Tzaneen Care Group to tears with a surprise donation of R50 000 which was most appreciated. A wonderful give back and show of social responsibility to the community.
The Tzaneen Care Group is a non profit company with limited resources solely reliant on the goodwill and generosity of the community within which it is based. Volunteers act as caregivers in that they offer emotional, moral and, where needed, acquire financial support by means of sponsorship for patients in need. The Tzaneen Care Group was founded in 1989. In recent years Tzaneen Care Group from fundraising initiatives as well as donations, has built up stock consisting of wheelchairs, hospital beds, egg box mattresses, commodes, walkers and crutches to name a few. All these items are on hand and ready to be lent to a patient or any other member of the community, where the need arises. The Tzaneen Care Group has its base for stock at Pioneers Park.
Currently Tzaneen Care Group has 80 plus patients listed. Sadly the needs of the community relating to patient care have grown exponentially over the last few years. Their longest serving member, Magda Bootha, envisioned a new purpose for Tzaneen Care Group. Her enthusiasm was infectious and so began the quest to get a house and set up the Tzaneen Care Centre. An anonymous benefactor has donated a house, situated at 36 Maritz Street to Tzaneen Care Group will be home to the Centre. The Care Group in turn will be calling on and depending on the goodwill and generosity of the community, firstly to help renovate and equip the house to meet the needs of the patient and secondly to sustain the running costs of the house.
. They would like to start a database of care workers that can be accessed by members of the community thus assuring people that the caregivers are qualified and competent. The Tzaneen Care Group is commited to continue fundraising efforts in order to achieve this vision by means of evenings such as these. The upcoming annual Ladies Breast Cancer Awareness High Tea at Unicorn Preparatory on October 31. In addition to which a team of 3 runners from Tzaneen, Shirley Stewart, Paul Zaayman and Anel Swart have committed themselves to run the Comrades for the benefit of Tzaneen Care Group. They will be approaching people to gain sponsorship per km and all proceeds thereof will be used for the Tzaneen Care Centre. Tzaneen Care Group would like to thank all the sponsors who made the event a success. “When people come together like this, it raises a wonderful energy of commitment and dedication.
It brings out all that is best about being human, which is to be a part of a caring community. “Yes this is a difficult time, but you have shown that there is hope and more than that, you have actually given that hope to many other people,” says Yasmeen Moosa, chair person of Tzaneen Care Group.
The Tzaneen Care Group wishes to thank the following sponsors: Sonia van der Mescht; Alison – Coach House; The Tzaneen Spar Group (Mia De Bruyn); Valley Beef; Moosa Munchkins (Reza Zayd Zayana); MRG Logistics; Fabulous Functions; E Baker; Sasol at Lifestyle Centre; San Last; Oasis Water; Elsa Botha; Malati Melkery; Finance Solutions Jessie and Magriet; Tzaneng Nursery; Camelia Florist; AGS Letsitele; Adriaan Venter; Alex Revelas; Alec & Wouter Kidson; Buthch Klinkert; Bulla Bruwer; Cobie Kemp; Wisani; Du Roi; Du Roi Lab; Danie Terblanche; Food Lovers Market; G Ickinger; Gustav van Vijeren; Houers; Hyundai; JD Pratt & Son; Katie Erasmus; Koos van Wyk; Koos de Nyschen; Ina Pohl; Aal Boerdery; Mooketsi Hardware; Thys Steenberg; Nico de Jager; Paint Pot; Pieter Henning; Rona McGaffin; Marie Engelbrecht; Meridian College; Tzaneen Specialist Surgeons; ZZ2; Burgert van Rooyen; Papadi Scrap Metals; And then of course, Smit Garrun.
