WATCH: Spectacular event in Mbombela raises almost R2m for paediatric patients
The third Lowveld Medical Arts and Cultural Society event was a great success and it raised almost R2m for peadiatric patients.
It had the glitz, it had the glam, and in every aspect delivered on its theme of being a ‘Wholehearted’ event.
The crème de la crème of the medical fraternity and Busamed Lowveld Private Hospital, with the support of several Lowveld businesses, held an unforgettable third Lowveld Medical Arts and Cultural Society (LMACS) fundraiser on Saturday, September 14.
In the opening address, Dr Attie van Wyk, the chairperson of LMACS, told the guests that wholeheartedness in charity meant diving in and not only providing resources, but also time, energy and above all their hearts to the project.
It took months of planning, hours of preparation and an abundance of energy to prepare for an event fit for kings and queens.
The BMW Mbombela Eastview Showroom was the perfect setting for the guests to indulge in a selection of South Africa’s best wines, world-class cuisine and jaw-dropping entertainment and art pieces performed and made by none other than Mbombela’s medical practitioners.
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The decor, crafted from recycled medical waste and hospital linen, gave insight into the time it took to create a unique experience and a glimpse into the creative genius of Dr Linda Kuhn, who is also qualified in arts. Supported by a team of colleagues, the interesting designs sewn on aprons and napkins and repeated on the menu and decor complimented the theme.
Van Wyk announced that the LMACS was about to enter a new chapter.
“What began in 2019 as a dream has blossomed into something truly special. I’m excited to announce that LMACS has registered as a non-profit company and all monies raised will be donated towards the cause.”
The event was kicked off with an astonishing R834 550 donation from Sun Pharma. The company’s CEO, Desmond Brothers, said in the spirit of Sun Pharma’s mission to reach people and touch lives, they were honoured to have contributed funds to a cause through which paediatric patients are assisted.
Apart from three donations of R35 000 each in the past three weeks to charities and causes in the Lowveld, emotional moments played out when three young diabetic patients, two of whom are raised by single parents, received assistance with their challenging lifestyles through donations for continuous glucose monitors to the value of R35 000 each for the year. LMACS further donated R35 000 to Jenny Holtzhauzen and Jaqui Smith of AMS, a Christian-based clinic providing primary healthcare to the underprivileged at Peebles Valley and Msholozi Clinics in White River.
Dr Dumani Kula, CEO of Busamed, caught everyone by surprise when he announced that the hospital group would match Sun Pharma’s donation in the next year with surgery planned by the LMACS committee.
Kula qualified as a medical doctor at the University of Cape Town and subsequently obtained an MBA in International Management from the University of London. In his speech, he referenced a trending story of Helen Joseph Hospital where the staff were exposed for their lack of care and respect for patients. “I was at the public hospital recently and couldn’t believe that human beings were treated this way.”
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Kula said the exodus of skills from the public sector had a major impact on the conditions in public hospitals. He commended the Lowveld’s medical professionals for this initiative and said he didn’t know of any other place in the country where such an event took place, and that it was exceptional. He pledged their commitment and promised to help ignite the fire of assistance that started in Mbombela to spread through the country.
The spirit of giving was celebrated with well-known winemakers Beyers Truter of Beyerskloof Wine Estate and Abri Beeslaar of Beeslaar Wines to present some of South Africa’s best wines to guests, while master chef GT Lundie served exquisite cuisine.
@lowvelder The third Lowveld Medical Arts and Cultural Society event was a great success and it raised almost R2m for peadiatric patients. #LMACS #Mbombela #Nelspruit #Artsandculture #Arts
The entertainment for the evening was amplified by the exceptional musical, dance and recital talents of the practitioners who performed music across various genres.
The programme kicked off with the fitting Mango Groove hit “Special Star”, which was followed by classical numbers and popular songs like Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now” and Coldplay’s “Fix You”. A Boeremusiek number, “Fanie se vastrap”, had the crowd up on their feet and the mass item “From Now On” from the musical The Greatest Showman saw all the participants of the evening on stage.
The programme aptly stated: “The antidote for burnout is not working less. It rather lies in tapping heart, soul and body into whatever must be done. The aim of the event is to encircle ‘being medical’ into the whole sphere of being human.”
@lowvelder The third Lowveld Medical Arts and Cultural Society event was a great success and it raised almost R2m for peadiatric patients. LMACS Mbombela Arts Artsandculture Culture ArtSociety Nelspruit
