Buffalo City Metro mayor Xola Pakati on Friday spread the Christmas cheer to children who will be spending Christmas in the metro’s hospitals.
Pakati, who was accompanied by his staff and councillor Sinethemba Mashalaba, handed over 1000 toys to children under the age of eight at Frere Hospital, Cecilia Makiwane Hospital, Grey Hospital and Bhisho Hospital.
Pakati said the metro wanted to ensure that all its children were in a festive mood, including those in hospitals.
He said they wanted to make the environment a little bit friendlier for the children.
“Every year when we come see these children, the smiles get wider and they make it all worth while. These are children who are away from the comfort of their homes and we want to bring a little bit of comfort to them and hope that they get distracted from their illnesses,” said Pakati.
At Frere, the mayor was welcomed by hospital management led by chief executive Dr Rolene Wagner.
Frere Hospital has the capacity to admit about 200 child patients at a time for different treatments, including children due for surgery. Siphamandla Geba, whose nine-month-old baby Asivambe was one of the toy recipients, said she was grateful for the initiative.
“These presents have brought joy not only to our children’s faces but to ours as well.
Another parent, Thandeka Pantsi, expressed her gratitude to the mayor and the hospital.
“We had forgotten Christmas and now these presents have reminded us that we should be joyful and happy.
“We thank the mayor and his team,” said Pantsi. — simthandilef@dispatch.co.za
Pakati’s Christmas cheer bowls over young patients
Pakati, who was accompanied by his staff and councillor Sinethemba Mashalaba, handed over 1000 toys to children under the age of eight at Frere Hospital, Cecilia Makiwane Hospital, Grey Hospital and Bhisho Hospital.
Pakati said the metro wanted to ensure that all its children were in a festive mood, including those in hospitals.
He said they wanted to make the environment a little bit friendlier for the children.
“Every year when we come see these children, the smiles get wider and they make it all worth while. These are children who are away from the comfort of their homes and we want to bring a little bit of comfort to them and hope that they get distracted from their illnesses,” said Pakati.
At Frere, the mayor was welcomed by hospital management led by chief executive Dr Rolene Wagner.
Frere Hospital has the capacity to admit about 200 child patients at a time for different treatments, including children due for surgery. Siphamandla Geba, whose nine-month-old baby Asivambe was one of the toy recipients, said she was grateful for the initiative.
“These presents have brought joy not only to our children’s faces but to ours as well.
Another parent, Thandeka Pantsi, expressed her gratitude to the mayor and the hospital.
“We had forgotten Christmas and now these presents have reminded us that we should be joyful and happy.
“We thank the mayor and his team,” said Pantsi. — simthandilef@dispatch.co.za
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