Local visually impaired ward councillor to compete in Midmar Mile in aid of hospice
Over the last few years, he has raised money for schools, old age homes and charity organisations in and around the capital. His first charity was to Carel du Toit centre for children with hearing disabilities.
A visually-impaired local ward councillor will compete in his 22nd consecutive Midmar Mile to raise funds for Sungardens Hospice.
The hospice offers specialised, palliative care to patients with progressive, far advanced, incurable diseases.
The Midmar Mile is an annual swimming race held in February at Midmar Dam north of Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal.
This year’s race will take place on Saturday, February 12.
Since 2013, Hentie Nortjé will once again take on the 1,6km race in aid of charity.
The 58-year-old is also practising as an attorney at Malan & Nortjé Attorneys.
Over the last few years, he has raised money for schools, old age homes and charity organisations in and around the capital
His first charity was the Carel du Toit centre for children with hearing disabilities.
Last year, he swam in aid of Booysens Beertjies nursery situated in the west of Pretoria.
“I have heard a lot about Sungardens hospice and the great work they do in communities all across South Africa over the last few years,” said Nortjé.
He added that he was highly impressed to read about the beautiful, professional services they are rendering over an extended area of Tshwane.
“They also provide extensive support for the families of their patients.”
Nortjé’s son, Henco will be his father’s eyes and ears during the race.
“We train as much as we can and our everyday programme differs from the previous.
“Every 400 metres, Henco will tap me on the back to inform me what our time is looking at as well as the distance we still need to swim,” he said.
Sungardens is a non-profit organisation (NPO), which receives 95% of its financial income from corporate donors, sponsorships, donations, and revenue generated by its charity shops.
“They have faced many challenges over the last two years, because of the effects of Covid-19. It was consequently challenging with financial circumstances.
“I believe that no one of us can ever say that we will not have to knock at the door of a hospice, whether for ourselves or any one of our loved ones.
“Because of this very reason, I have decided to swim my 22nd Midmar Mile to raise funds for this non-profit organisation,” he said.
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Nortjé said that he has always been actively involved with charity or non-profit organisations.
“Although I am visually impaired, I want to make a change in someone’s life.
“Currently we have raised R5 000, but the aim is to eventually donate R10 000 to the hospice.”
Nortjé has opened a Backabuddy fundraising page to encourage the public to help him raise funds for Sungardens Hospice.
For more information or to donate, kindly visit his Backabuddy webpage by clicking:
https://www.backabuddy.co.za/champion/project/blind-da-councilor-swims-22nd-consecutive?fbclid=IwAR2gthWeSxzvfODWC-p28fuvO4njOZM5UwWsBLztTO8lFLVEvjCPBSxczUs
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