Dignitaries, donors and sponsors from all over the world gathered outside the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital as Nelson Mandela’s dream of a children’s hospital in South Africa was realised on 2 December.
The 200-bed state-of-the-art hospital will be the fourth of its kind in Africa and will serve children from all kinds of backgrounds . CEO of the hospital, Sibongile Mkhabela said that the hospital took them on a journey ever since Mandela dreamt the idea. “This hospital will strive to serve to change children’s lives the way that Nelson Mandela would have wanted,”she said.
Minister of Health, Dr Aron Motsoaledi spoke about how the hospital was in line with the United Nations Millenium Developmental Goal and would serve as a global transition in the health care sector. “A promise to a child is a promise that should be kept,” he said. Motsoaledi pledged support for the hospital and added that they were intent on continuing to strengthen the National Health plan that despite its critics would continue to change the face of healthcare in South Africa.
Former deputy Chief Justice, Dikgang Moseneke spoke about how Mandela was collecting money from private donors, never ever suggesting that Treasury foot the bill. “We need men and women who are courageous and this is the time for of honest and hard work as the country is currently going through a wobble,” he expressed.
Mandela’s widow, Graca Machel called upon the late head of state’s spirit and said that the hospital would provide critical care for little patients across the Southern African Development Community’s (SADC) region. She encouraged guest to continue their support for the hospital as this is what would keep it going.
The hospital’s chairperson and former Constitutional Court Justice, Yvonne Mokgoro explained that when she took over as chairperson from Justice Dikgang Moseneke it seemed such a huge task but now through the hard work and support of donors, sponsors and workers alike, Nelson Mandela’s dream is now a reality.
The hospital in Parktown is the first of its kind to be built solely on the generosity of the world’s citizens, including ordinary South Africans, global philanthropists, corporate institutions and even children themselves, as part of the For Kids by Kids initiative. The hospital will officially open its doors to the public mid-June next year.
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