October’s ‘shining’ stars
Ron Smith Care Centre’s best housekeepers for October are second-time
winners. Precious Mlimo and Nomusa Shabangu from River Lodge 2 were once again
chosen to receive this award because of their teamwork, good communication, and
because they don’t wait for their supervisor to tell them what to do – they
take the initiative, see what needs to be done, and work really hard to do it.
Pictured are Precious, Matron Avril Maltman, and Nomusa.
The community of Rand Aid’s Ron Smith Care Centre gathered outdoors in their numbers to celebrate Heritage Month and the beginning of spring.
Residents and staff were treated to a performance by DJ Frans van Aswegan and singer Shams Muller and the Rodeo Girls (Lientjie and Christine), who kept everyone entertained with lots of vibrant music, singing, and line dancing. Soft rock, country and western, Afrikaans and popular songs from the 60s, 70s, and 80s were on the playlist and created a festive vibe. Residents and staff were inspired to dance and move to the lively beat. The Rodeo Girls also taught the staff a few fun line dances and danced with some of the residents.
The staff, representing SA’s rainbow nation, were excited and proud to be able to showcase their cultural dances, as well as a few dances from other genres. They danced to Waka Waka, Achy Breaky Heart, Jerusalema and Vulindlela.
Their message was:
We
are a rainbow nation
We
are noisy; we are colourful; we are bright
We
are proudly South African!
The
entertainment was followed by a delicious South African braai, which included
chicken, pap tart, Greek salad, and pumpkin fritters – nicely finished off with
a peppermint crisp tart.
LOOK AT THE VIDEOS TAKEN ON THE DAY. VISIT THE RAND AID FACEBOOK PAGE AND SCROLL DOWN TO FIND THE POST - https://www.facebook.com/RandAidAssociation
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| Happy dancing. |
Comments on WhatsApp family groups:
This
is incredible, thank you to all involved. It just lifted my heart to giant big
smiles!
Amazing
and so appreciated. You went to so much trouble. Thank you!
What
a fabulous event! Well done to all
involved and thank you for making it so festive for the residents.
Not many people have witnessed the transformations that Irene
Watson has – after all, she was born just after the end of World War I.
That was before penicillin, bubble gum, nylon, and aerosol
cans were invented. When she turned 102 on September 8, the resident of Rand
Aid’s Ron Smith Care Centre in Edenvale could say she had just lived through
the mass introduction of artificial intelligence applications, like ChatGPT.
Despite the many technological breakthroughs unfolding
around her, Irene enjoyed an old-fashioned celebration – a birthday cake and
tea enjoyed in the company of loved ones, fellow residents and staff.
Irene was born in
Darlington, England, in 1921. On completing her education at the Catholic
Immaculate Conception School, she started work at Binns Departmental Store in
the accounts department.
She married Reg Watson in 1944 and had two children, Trevor and Fiona. In 1957, the family emigrated to Southern Rhodesia and settled in Bulawayo.
“These were the best days of their life,” says Irene’s daughter, Fiona Martin.
Fiona says after much consideration, her parents decided to emigrate to South Africa in 1982 to be nearer their children. They initially lived in Kempton Park, then moved to Port Elizabeth, before moving into Tarantaal Retirement Village, where they were among the first village residents.
“My mom was an avid reader, loved doing crossword puzzles and joined the Toast Mistress’s Club in Kempton Park.”
Sadly, Reg passed away in 2001 and son Trevor in 2016.
Irene continued to live independently in her Tarantaal home until 2016, when she moved to Ron Smith Care Centre.
“She is given the best care and attention,” says Fiona.
Irene’s
daughter-in-law Kate and granddaughter Sarah both live in America, but Fiona lives
close by, in Benoni, and visits Irene regularly.
Irene Watson
(102) with Ron Smith Care Centre employees Bianca Dlomo and Lindiwe Hhlope.
Rand Aid Ron
Smith Care Centre (RSCC) resident Marie Roberts celebrated her 101st
birthday with family on 27 August.
Born in De
Putten, near Zeerust, in 1922, Marie moved to RSCC 10 years ago.
She loves
watching the news and sport, wildlife programmes and going to watch the birds
at RSCC’s dam, says her niece, Magriet Herr.
“She is an
inspiration to all of us and we all love visiting her. She is always lovely
company,” says Magriet.
RSCC wrote all
about Marie’s inspiring life when she turned 100. Read her story here.
Ron Smith Care
Centre staff members Carol-Ann McKenzie, Brenda Ratema, Hope Siboto and
Germinah Baloyi wishing Marie Roberts well on her birthday.
Singer Roy
Edwards ensured that Ron Smith Care Centre’s Women’s Day tea was an absolute
hit!
This year, the Rand
Aid care centre held various activities to celebrate Women’s Month, including a
delicious high tea on 11 August, after which Roy Edwards got the party going
with a wide selection of hits from the 50s, 60s and 70s, including country
rock, rock and roll and even a bit of sakkie-sakkie!
“Residents and
staff enjoyed all the catchy golden oldie tunes and were soon up and dancing.
Others swayed, moved and kept time to the music, while others were content to
sit and listen,” says Debbie Christen, Rand Aid’s manager of recreational
programmes.
“By the way our
residents responded to the music, it was obvious that the event uplifted
spirits and brought happiness, joy and warmth to their hearts,” she adds.
The hall was
beautifully decorated with a red, green and white floral theme, and tea and a
variety of sweet and savoury treats were enjoyed by all.
“Guests were spoilt for choice as platters with sausage rolls, chicken wings, quiche, vetkoek with mince, lamingtons, milk tarts and cream puffs were offered around,” says Debbie.
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Carol Beadle.
Cathy
Basterfield, Beauty Buthelezi and Berenice Jawitz.
Eddie Lazar and
Tshepo Malatjie.
Ellen Quinn and
Johanna Sebata.
Maureen
Wollenschlaeger.
Mona Knodell
and Tshepo Malatjie.
Nana Roberts
and Prudence Mokoena.
Phumudzo
Nephiphidi, Doreen Woodward and Mosima Mojela.
Prudence
Mokoena, Nana Roberts, David Mtshali and Pascaline Kamela.
Roy Allen,
Tshepo Malatjie and Irene Simon.
Selina Shiviri,
Mary Johnstone and Pascaline Kamela.
Taffy Thompson
and Irvine Sinnett.
Tilly Bryant
and Marion Simmonds.
