Vita Nova attempts to break Guinness World Record

The centre attempted to break the Guinness World Record for the most people making heart shaped hand gestures.

The fundraising festival, Operation Hope Grows, was held in aid of the Daggafontein-based centre in an attempt to raise much needed funds and to make people aware of the excellent work done by the centre which houses over 100 people.

The event was planned by Mercia van Schalkwyk, owner of a graphic designing company, free of charge, as well as Marina Potjie, Assistant Director of the Vita Nova Centre.

“We attempted to break the Guinness World Record for the most people making heart shaped hand gestures but we did not have enough people that came out to support us,” says Mercia.

In order to break the Guinness World Record, the centre needed 970 to attend to break the record and only 500 people attended the event.

“We still did it in good faith as we wanted people to realise that the residents of the centre cannot even do a simple gesture like this.”

A potjie competition was held on the day with companies challenging each other.

Corne Borman, the South African Braai Champion and Durley Wellen were the judges.

Some of the children from the centre also did line dancing for the spectators.

“Even though we did not have as many feet as we had hoped, we received a lot of positive feedback and everyone enjoyed the day out with perfect weather and loads of fun,” says Mercia.

She concludes by saying that they would like to thank their sponsors and volunteers that helped make the day a reality.

“We promise that next year will be bigger and better so watch this space.”