The Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital came alive on December 12, with a Christmas musical piece from the Mzansi Philharmonic Choir as part of their Christmas Community Concert tour.

Doctors, nurses, child patients and parents gathered in the hospital’s foyer for the musical experience, which lasted for an hour.

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CEO of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital, Dr Nonkululeko Boikhutso, said she was so honoured by the visit from the choir.

“It’s wonderful to have the choir perform for our children because we know what music can do in terms of uplifting, and it’s not only the children, but also the parents, including our staff members. This year is particularly difficult for us because we lost a staff member, so having the choir here has really lifted the mood.”

Boikhutso added that the choir’s visit was not the only festive activity at the hospital during this time of the year.

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She added, “We usually have our forever partner, Crazy Craft, who decorated and put up a tree for us and also went around the wards giving children Christmas presents, because some of the children will not receive presents and will be here with us in the hospital so that’s a little bit of what we do to spread the Christmas spirit here.”

Bass player and member of the Mzansi Philharmonic Choir, Phumelelo Ndlovu, said he was no stranger to playing at the children’s hospital.

“Playing here is a blessing; we played here last year for the first time. The Community Concert is about inspiring children and those in need, especially during this time of the year.”

The Mzansi Philharmonic Choir Community Concert will be in Durban at the Victoria Mxenge Hospital on December 15 and end in Cape Town at Tygerberg Hospital on December 17.

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