Nurses thanked for their service
The decorations included a large candle and alongside it was a lamp symbolising Florence Nightingale's lamp and candles given to each member of the nursing team.
Thembalami Care Centre recently celebrated International Nurses’ Day with a ceremony to show the appreciation of management and residents of the work done by the 53-strong nursing team at the centre.
Centre manager Esme van der Walt arranged beautifully decorated tables outside the door of the dining hall, where the ceremony was held.
The decorations included a large candle and alongside it was a lamp symbolising Florence Nightingale’s lamp and candles given to each member of the nursing team.
Esme said 30 years in service matron Paulina Namo had her lamp lit by Esme, using the flame of the large candle.
“She was positioned at the far end of the hall and one by one, the professional, enrolled and auxiliary nurses walked in and lit their candles from the lamp’s flame.”
With Paulina taking the lead, Esme said they repeated the Nurse’s Pledge together before making way for the careworkers, who also lit their candles and recited their pledge.
Ayanda Matthews, Rand Aid’s general manager of the Compliance and Social React Division, Esme and Paulina gave short speeches, thanking the nursing staff for their dedication during difficult circumstances.
“Being a nurse is a calling and not a job that just anyone can do,” said Esme.
Resident Adrienne Bass thanked the nursing staff on behalf of the residents and afterwards everyone sang the national anthem before social worker Lara Hurwitz closed proceedings with Queen’s We are the Champions.
