Heritage Day happiness at Ron Smith Care Centre

Over 150  residents and staff of Rand Aid’s Ron Smith Care Centre gathered at the centre’s beautiful Woodlands Lapa and Garden area to celebrate Heritage Day on September 26. 

Preparations for the event began weeks in advance with the residents and staff creating special Heritage Day hats and hand-crafted Proteas for table decorations in the OT activity centre, whilst the staff dancers learnt some new international dances to entertain the crowd. 

The day was awash with brilliant colours as staff were dressed in their bright and beautiful traditional attire. The dance programme began with staff representing the Venda, Pedi, Zulu and Tsonga tribes, performing their traditional dances. This was followed by an American Line Dance (Hillbilly Rock), an Israeli Folk Dance (Nigun Atik), a Latin American Cha (Chilly Cha Cha) and an American round dance (Salty Dog Rag). The programme ended with a lone Scottish piper who played Scotland the Brave.

After thoroughly enjoying the entertainment, residents were by now ravenous and more than ready for the braai. ‘Build your own burgers’ were on the menu and the Naked Chefs from Rand Aid’s Inyoni Creek were the braai masters. Delicious, juicy hamburgers were served, which could be embellished with cheese, tomatoes and/or onions. Coleslaw, bean salad and pap & sauce were also on offer and the alfresco meal ended off with everyone’s favourite – Eskimo Pies!

Debbie Christen, Manager: Recreational Programmes commented: “The day was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate with the care centre community, the spirit and beauty of Rand Aid’s diverse cultures and to find joy in a selection of music and dances from around the world. The perfectly grilled burgers were also a treat!”

Olimpia D’ Ascenzo and Ziyanda Vellem.

Ron Smith Care Centre’s colourful Heritage Day celebration.

The Vendas.

Johanna Mokwele, Megan Weeks, Nolly Mlandu, and Knowledge Ngobeni.

Jennifer Sigida, Noel Tilney, and Evelyn Shilubane.

 Here come the Pedis!

Sister Leanie Bessinger gets initiated into the Zulu tribe!

The Tsonga Dancers. 

Israeli Folk Dance.

Dancing the Chilly Cha!Cha!

Timothy Lincoln.

Rosina Pretorius.

 Ros Benjamin.

Nomsa Shabangu, Peggy Roberts, Hilda Mabaso.

Here come the Vendas!