Residents light up Pauline Davies with Diwali celebration

A group of women from the facility performed the Kolatham dance, a prayer dance, and later entertained everyone with the popular Desi Girl Bollywood dance.

October 22, 2025

Ntombikayise Letlepo 1 minute read

Smiling brightly, Cynthia James dances to the cheers of attendees during the Diwali celebration on October 18.

Wearing their colourful Indian traditional regalia, the elderly residents of Pauline Davis Court sang and danced in celebration of Diwali, the festival of lights, on October 18.

The event, which brought together residents for a day filled with song, prayer, and joy, is one of Hinduism’s most significant and widely observed festivals.

The celebration began with a morning religious service, followed by lively cultural performances. A group of women from the facility performed the Kolatham dance, a prayer dance, and later entertained everyone with the popular Desi Girl Bollywood dance, as fellow residents cheered them on.

The light and spirit of Diwali truly shine brightest amongst the residents of Pauline Davis Court, who enjoyed themselves during the Diwali celebration.

Dancing to the beats of Hindu music, Roy Pillay enjoys himself during the Diwali celebration at Pauline Davis Court on October 18.

The event was organised by The Serve To Grow Foundation (TSTG), a Johannesburg-based non-profit organisation, as part of its efforts to give back to the community. The organisation was supported by friends, family, and members of Works of Faith NPO.

According to Gavin Huber of TSTG, the team decided to host the celebration after identifying a need among the residents.

“Seeing that this place is a multicultural environment, everyone participated, not just the Hindu residents,” he said.

Huber added that Pauline Davis Court is one of several projects supported by TSTG.

“We’ve reached out to the residents a few times before and will continue to open our hearts to them,” he said.

Kiran Mowjee, also from TSTG, said their long-term goal is to empower the elderly through sustainable initiatives.

The Serve To Grow Foundation (TSTG) members, Kiran Mowjee and Gavin Huber, with Works of Faith NPO founder Tanya Snyman, joined by Pauline Davis Court residents wearing their traditional regalia during the Diwali celebration.

Pauline Davis Court residents entertained attendees with their dances during the Diwali celebration on October 18.

“We want to start a skills programme where they can learn sewing and baking so that they don’t have to rely on others. We’re still looking for sponsorships to make that possible,” Mowjee said.

He added that the Diwali celebration was organised simply as a fun and uplifting day for the residents.

“We’ve included competitions for the best dressed and best dancer, followed by a meal.”

Resident Roy Pillay expressed his gratitude to the organisers and sponsors.

“They have done something different today. Usually, we just sit in our rooms, but this celebration brought us together to enjoy and fellowship with each other,” he said.

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