Home-Based Care celebrates 10 years

Sandile Qwabe reports:

ON JUNE 9, the Home-Based Care Project Swart Mfolozi celebrated its 10th anniversary. It was established in 2005 after the arrival of the Lutheran sisters from Germany in 2004.

The anniversary was an exciting occasion for the project staff and the entire exuberant community around Swart Mfolozi who were present at this thrilling event. Community members came in numbers although it was during the week, because the people of Swart Mfolozi are benefiting a lot from the fact that the project is situated in their area. The celebrations took place at Ethembeni Care Centre where the project operates.

The VIPs were led by ushers to a waiting room to have tea before the commencement of the event, after which they were led to the hall to watch a powerpoint presentation with pictures about the project since it was founded. Later, ushers led the VIPs to the tent outside the hall and the celebration started. Meanwhile, the project’s Community Care Givers were busy helping with cooking of the food for lunch.

Archbishop VS Mtshali of the Ethopian Church was the program director, and the Chairperson of the Project Committee, Dean VV Ntombela, opened with a prayer and read the Word of God, which was about the importance of Love. He also welcomed all the attendees of the meeting.

The Deputy Secretary of the project, Sr SU Zondo, introduced all the guests that were present, among them traditional leaders, religious leaders, the Mayor of AbaQulusi Municipality, ward councillors, representatives of the Department of Education and Health, South African Police Service (Gluckstadt Police Station) and local business people.

The Program Manager, Mrs Nonhlanhla Khumalo, delivered a report on the work done by the project, and the Treasurer, Dean Emeritus JJ Mbatha, delivered a detailed financial report.

The Project Manager, Sr Christine Eisenhuth gave a history of the project and she had a good translator to IsiZulu so that the majority of the people heard clearly the history.

The guest speaker, Rev SP Khumalo, emphasised the scripture read by the Chairperson of the Committee about love. He said that all that was done by the project to help the sick and the poor was because of the love that the Lutheran sisters had for the Swart Mfolozi community. He also asked those present, “In the 10 years since this project is here to give love to you, do you have love for others?”

Chief Dr DV Zondo of Empangisweni Area, delivered a speech in which he showed his appreciation of the job done by the project to help the people of his tribe. The Chief also told the people he was proud of himself that he allowed the Sisters to bring the project to the area. “Look today, this project has given bursaries and produced the teachers who are now working for their families. It helps the sick and the poor. I am very proud of the project,” Chief Zondo said.

There was another important moment during the celebrations which was the awards and honouring of the past and present workers within the project.There were certificates of appreciation which were given to the Community Care Givers and staff members.

There was also an awarding of certificates of Long Service to the Community Care Givers who started working with the project since it was founded, and there was a candle lighting ceremony and a moment of silence for those workers of the project who had passed away.

The Intathakusa Combined School learners offered a gospel song and did a Zulu traditional dance during the event.

The Deputy Chairperson of the project, Mrs A Zulu, thanked all the people who attended the event, and everyone who made the event possible and successful.

Dean Emeritus JJ Mbatha closed the program, and lunch followed.

The event was successful and everyone was happy, and you could see even from the eyes of the Project Manager, Sr Christine, that she was satisfied with everything that happened during the celebration.