Rand Aid’s Ron Smith Care Centre celebrated Heritage Day on September 23 with a display of the nation’s many traditional dances.
Thili Sibiya.
Lucia Nkuna, Cleo Makhanya and Alice Molepo.
Louise
Newman and Knowledge Ngobeni.
No one is sure if Jill Jones or Annie-Cat was the copy-cat but on September 15, they both looked like the cat that got the cream after enjoying separate pamper sessions.
The ladies emerged with Cheshire Cat grins as
they showed off their manicured nails and claws and groomed hair and fur.
After seeing the pair in all their splendour,
no one at Rand Aid’s Ron Smith Care Centre in Lyndhurst – where both Jill and
her beloved Annie live, would dream of even thinking ‘Look what the cat dragged
in’.
Jill had her nails done by care worker Busi
Nxumalo, while Jolly Dog Spa came to the care centre to groom Annie, who purred
contentedly as she was brushed and fussed over.
“Normally, when I brush Annie, she only
tolerates it for a few minutes and then growls and runs away!” says Jill, who
was delighted that Annie enjoyed her spa session.
Jill has been a RSCC resident for five years
and ever since she moved in, she had wanted a cat.
Annie was a rescue cat, who used to live in the
storeroom of a bottle store. She was rescued by a member of the community and
when management of the care centre found out that the cat needed a home, they
immediately thought of Jill, who they knew had hankered after a feline friend
for years.
Jill was overjoyed when approached by
management and asked if she would like to adopt the stray.
Part of the Eden Alternative philosophy, which
RSCC follows, is that residents should have the opportunity to enjoy close
relationships and connections with animals.
The pair have a very close bond and Jill has
always said what a blessing Annie-Cat is to her. “We are family!”
Jill and Annie together again after each
enjoying a relaxing spa session.
Jill Jones thrilled with the manicure given by
care worker Busi Nxumalo.
Annie enjoying her pedicure!
Rand Aid’s Ron Smith Care Centre (RSCC) in Lyndhurst has experienced a challenging time over the past few months.
Even though its elderly frail residents have handled the restrictions necessitated
by the coronavirus pandemic with grace, Matron Avril Maltman says that all care
centre staff have found themselves working in stressful times and under extreme
pressure.
Nevertheless, they are totally dedicated to giving wonderful, loving care
to the residents and have worked tirelessly to curb the spread of infections and
to keep everyone’s spirits up.
Local artist Master KG’s Jerusalema has become a global sensation
and videos of people dancing to the hit are spreading positivity far and wide.
When Enrolled Nursing Auxiliary Evelyn Shilubane, who works on the River
Lodge 3 residential wing of the care centre, first found out about the Jerusalema
dance, she thought that RSCC should take up the challenge and promoted the idea
to her colleagues. Charge Professional Nurse Leanie Bessinger then spread the
idea to the staff of the five other wings and dance practices were set up with
Debbie Christen, Recreational Manager, teaching the choreography to various
groups.
Debbie comments: “Staff from all
departments – nursing, housekeeping, kitchen, maintenance, admin and the coffee
shop – were encouraged to join in, making this dance challenge a fun and spirit-filled
team building exercise, which really brought the whole care centre community
together in such a joyous way. In a sense, this was also a chance to relieve
some of the stresses of the lockdown period and to celebrate survival of COVID-19.”
Greg Fine, the husband of Rand Aid’s in-house doctor, Dr Carmella Mielke,
very kindly assisted with video footage using his drone, and Sister Leanie
edited and put together some 59 video clips from staff to create the final
version. She says: “Unity and light relief are much needed in the world right
now and I want to put out the challenge to other care centres to join the
#JerusalemaDanceChallenge.”
When Zabeth Zühlsdorff, Rand Aid General Manager Advance Division, saw
the video, she was blown away and responded: “I have watched it three times already!
Many thanks to everyone who organised,
participated and supported this fantastic initiative. You are an awesome team
and I am privileged to work with each and every one of you.”
Families on the various WhatsApp groups started by
the care centre to enable enhanced communication with the families of
residents, also commented favourably:
Watch the video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2X6qgdAhxuU
