The country is finally starting to get back some level of normalcy, as seen by the ever-increasing numbers of community markets and events being hosted on weekends.
While not everyone took the lockdown regulations seriously, protocols were followed meticulously at old age homes due to their elderly residents being considered at high risk during the pandemic. Both private and government old age homes took every precaution they could to make sure their residents were safe.
At one point these protective measures even included prohibiting families and friends from visiting the residents in old age homes just in case they had come in to contact with the virus. That is why, the exciting fact that they are now opening their doors wide again and allowing public events such as markets is an amazing change from last year’s doom and gloom.
On Saturday, 27 March Residentia Ons Huis, an old age home in Florida, hosted a market open to the whole community. From 9am to late in the afternoon, residents enjoyed stalls selling all manner of food, gifts, jewellery and toys. For regular blood donors and first-time donors, the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) had set up a tent for willing participants to donate one unit of their blood and assist in saving three lives.
Following the misery that filled 2020, a friendly, happy, laughter-filled community market like this one was a breath of fresh air.