Cllr shares the love on Valentine’s Day
Random acts of kindness continue to brighten up Toti residents' days.
The initiative was started by Sapphire Coast Toti Tourism chairman, Jacques van Schalkwyk, who changed a social networking game involving downing an alcoholic beverage while being filmed, into one of kindness. The video of the kindness act is then loaded onto YouTube and the link is posted onto Facebook.
Jacques nominated the South Coast Sun, which paid for the sponsorship of an adoption kennel at Toti SPCA for three months. It in turn nominated ward 97 councillor, Andre Beetge.
On Friday, 14 February at 4pm, dressed in a tuxedo and bowtie in 33 degree heat, Cllr Beetge visited Mooi Hawens and the frail care centre, Huis Lena in Winklespruit, where he handed out 10 dozen pink, red and white carnations to every female resident and staff member as part of Valentine’s Day. “Obviously when the idea was borne, I didn’t take into account that flowers on that day are scarce,” said Cllr Beetge.
“Thanks to the Sun for the nomination, as it was both an exciting and humbling experience. Some of the residents didn’t immediately understand what was going on, but then to observe the excitement, in some cases possibly the reminiscence of some cherished incident in their past, when faces burdened by many summers broke a smile and several women indicated that nothing like that had happened to them in years, it was truly fulfilling.
One gentleman – one of a mere handful in a sea of ladies – asked whether he could in turn hand over one of the flowers to a lady. I still don’t know whether they were a couple or whether the old rascal was just an opportunist. I guess the answer will remain a mystery.”
Galleria, which was Jacques’ second nominee, has extended its response time as its act of kindness is a massive undertaking, which will be reported on in a future edition.
The Sun retracted its nomination of ward 97 committee member, Frank Horn, as he is currently unavailable due to a dire family medical situation. The Sun wishes him strength during this time. Instead, the Sun nominated Toti High School to take up the pledge to carry out a random act of kindness. It has until Wednesday, 26 February to fulfil the task.
Cllr Beetge nominated Kingsway High School and Kuswag Skool.
