June’s hero has a heart of gold
He finds tremendous joy in surprising people with his special kind of care.
The Rekord and Westpack’s Centurion Hero for June is Marius Bester from Lyttelton Manor.
Bester (43) is the operations manager at Centurion hospice. He said that while he was surprised that he has been nominated, he was, however “grateful of the community’s appreciation”.
“I assist with the hospice’s patients and take care of them. We cook all their meals, and I manage all operational requirements. I also assist with HR components of the organisation.
“I have my own business, Marjabu Cakes, and donate the income generated from that to the hospice.”
Bester said he was born in Pretoria, grew up in Booysens and Lynnwood, and matriculated at Hoërskool Hercules.
“I’ve been in retail all my life and started my own business, Marjabu Cakes in 2014. I assisted the hospice in 2018 with a catering event, and in the end, donated the catering to them.
“They realised I have a lot to offer the organisation and I started assisting in the bookshop, and ended up as their operational manager, which I enjoy thoroughly.”
Bester said he has always been involved in the community and loved giving to others and helping where help was required. He was Centurion of the Year in 2019, an honour bestowed to him by the Facebook group, People who live in Centurion.
Melanie Robbins, Bester’s assistant at the Hospice said she has now been working with Bester for the best part of four years.
READ MORE: Centurion calls all heroes
“I come from the corporate industry, and I can honestly say that I have never met such a kind-hearted person as Marius.
“He is a gentle giant. He doesn’t mind reaching deep into his heart as well as his pockets to help others, or to assist with whatever troubles someone else. He is loved by care workers and our patients alike.”
Robbins said one of their care workers was about to get married and found all the arrangements very stressful. In a matter of a day, Marius had her dress and makeup sorted out for her.
“We have a patient that writes Marius letters from time to time, telling him what sweets he feels like having. Only to find exactly what he wanted delivered to him,” Robbins said.
“Another patient loves a certain kind of ice cream. She often gets her favourite ice cream delivered to her. And that is exactly how Marius is. He takes note of small details about people, he cares about what they like and dislike, and finds tremendous joy in surprising them with his special kind of care,” she said.
Robbins said she did not know another person like Bester. “Other people’s happiness matters to him. He cares if someone struggles, or cannot cope, and assist with whatever he can, whenever he can.”
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