18 October 2004

By Sipho None

IT was all smiles in the paediatric ward as Mogale City councillor Sonti Madlala and staff from a local Pick 'n Pay supermarket presented gifts to needy kids at the Yusuf Dadoo Hospital in the suburb of Monument.

Madlala, who is the chairperson of the hospital board, a structure that represents the community on all hospital-related issues, applauded Pick 'n Pay for its efforts.

"Our hospital staff and all board members are happy that Pick 'n Pay has joined hands to bring smiles to our kids in this time of need. We would appreciate it if they (Pick 'n Pay) could adopt the paediatric ward," Madlala said.

Children in the paediatric ward, most of whom suffer from burn wounds, received toys and chocolate from the chain store staff. Most were visibly excited when offered gifts.

"This hospital is a monument, and we want to restore it to its former glory. This can only happen if, and only if, local businesses join hands and help us to realise our dream. With this kind of help we hope to convert this hospital into a semi-private hospital," said Madlala.

Sidney Butler, a section manager at Pick 'n Pay, said the donation was part of his store's social responsibility. He said, through donations, his store wanted to extend a hand of goodwill to the needy children.

"We want to give back to our community, because our store is what it is because of them. We chose the children's ward because they are our future leaders and are most vulnerable to abuse and diseases," Butler said.

Patrick Sofohlo, the hospital CEO, said he wanted to rejuvenate and convert the hospital into a "home away from home" for both admitted and out-patient children.

"We are ecstatic with this gesture from the chain store. However we want our kids to feel at home when admitted here. Most of our children in the paediatric ward feel lonely and out of place, so with these gifts we hope that they will feel at home," Sofohlo said.

Yusuf Dadoo hospital, formerly known as Paardekraal, is named after Yusuf Mahomed Dadoo, a political activist who fought against racial discrimination and apartheid. He died in exile on 19 September 1983.