By Jonk wa Mashamba
news@alexreporter.co.za

Alexandra was the hub of activities during Mandela International Day. And if you didn’t partake or attended an event, take a step and help someone any day any time!

However, our journos attended the events to keep you posted, while also recording history.

We visited Alex Hospice and Rehabilitation Centre after we were invited by Sam Khuzwayo, who works for 4th Avenue Clinic ( Heath Promotions Department).

Sam Khuzwayo with Grace Marutlulle during Mandela Day event at Alex Hospice — Sam Khuzwayo with Grace Marutlulle during the Mandela Day event at Alex Hospice. **Pics by Mashamba Media**.

Together with other companies, the clinic donated food parcels, blankets and other valuable items. Grace Marutlulle, project manager for the Alex Hospice and Rehabilitation Centre was over the moon when she received the visitation from the companies.

Marutlulle said her hospice takes patients whose families cannot look after. Apart from feeding them, the hospice ensures that they are bathed and given medications.

” We are not here for any game. These girls (referring to her staff), came here with no experience… they came in to say ‘ we love to do the work that is recognised by God’.

“They are not here for money. It is even worse with the professionals. These are the people that we have got, that they want to do the work that they had the ought to take, that ‘I will do it until I feel I can’t’.

” Thank you for coming. Whatever the donation that you brought along, it’s a blessing to us because we are just an NPO. The department that is supposed to be taking care of us is only catering for six beds. Then the 24 patients that we have got rely on donations.

“Thank you very much.Take the message to other people to say, if you don’t know the hospice, somebody is going to get sick, your relative or your colleague and you will need the hospice,” she said.

Her prayer was that part of the building could be fixed. She said the building as a whole is 103 years old and was giving in.

Alex Rythms rendered a touching music item to the patients. Other stakeholders that graced the event were Chester Butcheries, Boxer ( Pan Africa Mall), Greater Alex Today news, Alex News, Alex Reporter, Alex FM, Mashamba Media and others.

“We inclusively donated Mielie meal, Chicken portions, cleaning stuff, Mandela birthday Cake, Hotdogs ( Food) for the patrons and staff and we organized the Choir for entertainment,” Khuzwayo said.