Cape Town – The Minister of Human Settlements, Connie September, got into the spirit of Christmas by visiting a local children’s hospital to donate gifts from herself and the staff at her department.
During her visit to the Sarah Fox Children’s Convalescent Hospital, which falls in her constituency, September appealed to members of the public not to forget smaller hospitals and called on people to donate toys and other things to the hospital.
“They need clothing, nappies, foodstuff and they need dolls and toys that can make children happy in these surroundings,” she said.
Many of the children are outpatients from the nearby Red Cross Children’s Hospital in the city and a number of them are too sick to go home for Christmas, some like one infant had lost both her parents to HIV/Aids.
Accompanied by her three grandchildren, who helped to set up Christmas decorations, September delivered gifts from her staff, many of whom had opted to give presents to the children rather than exchange them with one another.
The department employs about 100 Cuban engineers and many of them made dolls, wrapped neatly in plastic with names on them, for the minister to take along and present to the children.
“I think it’s important when there’s this outpouring of giving things for Christmas and so on… These children want the love of Nelson Mandela [who] gave love, care and many nice things,” she said.
September attended Madiba’s funeral in Qunu on Sunday and also attended the official memorial and viewed his body while he was lying in state.
“He had the most beautiful send-off - very sad. It was a very difficult day for all of us because it meant it was the final day of seeing him on this earth, but we are extremely privileged that we were able to participate in this beautiful send-off,” she said.
She said this Christmas would be a more difficult time for many South Africans, as this was the time when Madiba would host various charitable parties for underprivileged children.
But she said the children of South Africa would not be forgotten because his legacy would continue.
The hospital currently has 55 children – 24 of whom are aged two or younger – and nursing manager Zelda Udeman said most of them would remain here during Christmas.
She said members of the public could donate clothing, toiletries like nappies and toys which were still in a reasonable condition. – SAnews.gov.za
