Giyani – Patients at the Evuxakeni Psychiatric Hospital in Giyani, Limpopo, were filled with joy and excitement as they lined up at the entrance to welcome Communications Minister Faith Muthambi.
“I love this….this is what Mandela taught us….to love and take care of each other. Their excitement about our visit clearly indicates that they want to be given much love and care,” the Minister said on Thursday.
Her visit was in honour and celebration of the late President Nelson Mandela. She arrived at the hospital earlier this morning to clean, trim trees and paint the walls of the hospital.
Last year, when Minister Muthambi visited the hospital, she took the facility under her wing to help improve and make it a centre of hope for the patients.
At the time, the walls were cracked, there was a shortage of staff, the kitchen was in a dilapidated state, the toilet pipes needed to be replaced and the facility needed more geysers.
Today, before she clubbed in with the local mayor of Giyani and the executive mayor of Mopani in contributing her 67 minutes of community work in honour of Madiba, Minister Muthambi started with a walk-about to assess the progress made since her last visit.
“During my first visit last year, the facility was dilapidated. There were cracks in some buildings, but I’m excited that the cracks have been fixed, the kitchen has been revamped, toilet pipes have been fixed…patients are bathing with hot water as there are geysers and there is a huge improvement when it comes to the filling of vacant posts. I am really excited about all this,” she proudly said.
Minister Muthambi also did some gardening where she planted onions with a group of officials, councillors and local residents. “We are assisting with regard to food security by planting onions so that the patients living here can benefit,” she said.
The Minister said in the spirit of Madiba, she will continue with the work at the hospital in order to make the living conditions of patients better.
The Minister encouraged South Africans to emulate Madiba. “Let’s emulate Mandela by showing these patients more love by visiting them or donating resources that will improve their lives. I really enjoyed contributing my 67 minutes and I strongly believe this will make a huge difference in their lives,” she said.
Kgoshi Sekgalabyana Sekgororo II of Banareng Ba Sekororo, in Mopane, who was also planting onions, said the Minister is following in the footsteps of Mandela by making a difference in rural communities.
“Madiba always wanted to help those who are less fortunate in life and Minister Muthambi is spot on by adopting this hospital,” he said.
Greater Giyani Mayor Patrick Hlungwani, who was leading a team trimming trees said: “I’ve never been so happy than to take time, doing something for the great leader-Mandela, I’m very happy about our community work at this hospital.
“Let’s all of be creative and do something in honour of Madiba. I want to urge the nation, to be part of the 67 minutes of community work.
“On behalf of residents of Giyani, we are very proud of Minister Muthambi. We are happy with the improvement since she adopted the hospital”.
Mopane executive Mayor Nkakareng Rakgoale, who was painting a wall, said: “I’ve enjoyed my 67 minutes which I believe is not enough compared to what Madiba did for us. We need to continue with Madiba’s legacy of promoting peace, unity, caring and loving each other”.
The Nelson Mandela International Day serves as a catalyst for each and every person to change the world through community work. The campaign asks that individuals, groups and corporates pledge 67 minutes of their time and every day thereafter, to continue to give back.
This year's Nelson Mandela International Day will take place under the theme “Donating 67 minutes of our time to help those in need”. - SAnews.gov.za
