Chairman of the Rand Aid's board, John Robinson, presents an award to Blaise September who has given Rand Aid Association a solid 20 years of service.
Rand Aid Association inspires loyalty – and this is evident each year when the long service awards are celebrated and the staff members are toasted.
On 25 August, 25 employees were honoured when chairman of the association’s board, John Robinson, presented them with service badges and other tokens of appreciation.
“The long service awards are the highlight of my year,” said chief executive officer, Rae Brown.
“I am so proud of the staff and what they give to our residents.”
The people who received awards this year have a combined 250 years of service, while another four members of the Wedge Gardens personnel boast a combined service of 65 years.
“Since we started the long service awards, we have recognised 9 520 years of service, including those of 73 staff members who have given us more than 20 years each, and eight Wedge personnel [giving us] 20 years each,” added Brown.
Back: Mercia Sekgarametso, 35 years; Ayanda Matthews, 25 years; and Frans Mpete, the longest serving employee with 41 years. Front: Esme Erasmus, 25 years; Jubilee Boikanyo, 40 years; and Stella Dibotelo, 25 years.
Jubilee Boikanyo received an award for a staggering 40 years of service. The only staff member in service longer than Boikanyo is Frans Mpete with 41 years. Mpete received his long service award last year.
A supervisor in the Rand Aid central laundry, Boikanyo joined Rand Aid in 1976. “It has been a joy to have Jubilee in our midst; she is a pleasure to work with. Jubilee is a loyal, hard worker who gets along well with everybody,” said Brown.
A 35-year service award went to Tarentaal Village enrolled nurse Mercia Sekgarametso, who Brown said is loved by the residents and, of course, the rest of the staff.
A 25-year service award went to Ayanda Matthews, the general manager of compliance and social react division, who is known for calling a ‘spade a spade’ and is a ‘real asset to the Rand Aid management team’; Esme Erasmus, the Thornhill Manor manager, is a ‘people’s person’ who, according to Brown, has proven her dedication to Rand Aid over the years; and Stella Dibotelo, a member of the housekeeping staff at Elphin Lodge whose work ethic and friendly demeanour earn her many a compliment.
A proud Antoinette Boikanyo with her mother Jubilee Boikanyo, who has been a Rand Aid Association employee for 40 years, and chairman of the Rand Aid’s board, John Robinson.
Gwen Coutinho, Joyce Mabule, Laurentia Jooste, Salaminah Mooi, Tanya Switala and Vivian Maphoso were all given 15-year service awards.
In addition, six people were recognised for 10 years of service and 16 people were awarded for five years of service.
Four members of the Wedge Gardens team were also honoured, including Blaise September for 20 years of service and Vernon Eekhout, Wimpie Rautenbach and Willie van Dijk for 15 years of service.
