Staff and students on the Tygerberg Campus once again celebrated Mandela Day this year in the spirit of caring, giving and sharing for which they are well-known.

The management team of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, together with the Tygerberg Hospital's Facility Board and management team, started a week of celebrations on Monday, 18 July, when they distributed the first of more than 500 comfort packs to patients in Tygerberg Hospital.

Ms Nadia Goliath managed this initiative from the office of Dr Therese Fish, Vice Dean: Clinical Services and Social Impact. Staff contributed generously and zealously assisted with the packing and distribution of the gift packs, which included toiletries, scarfs and beanies. The Hospital Facilities' Board under the leadership of Ms De Jager donated cloth bags in which to pack the goodies. Donations were also received from Giant Hyper, Pepkor's IT Department and JDW Pathology Inc.

Gift packs were also given to the mothers who are staying with their babies and children in the Tygerberg Children's Hospital. The children and babies received brightly coloured knitted blankets and toys.

Goliath said the patients highly appreciated the gift packs. "An elderly gentleman commented that 'Stellenbosch University is like family' and the moms in the children's wards were surprised to be included."

Ms Marsha Maker of the Desmond Tutu TB Centre said she felt blessed that she could be part of the project. "It made me feel humble and grateful to participate and keep Madiba's legacy alive."

The balance of the items will go to the Tygerberg Hospital's social services to continue to provide some basic items to the patients admitted into the hospital. "We can give dignity to our community through a very simple act," said Dr Paul Ciapparelli, Director of Clinical Services at Tygerberg Hospital

Students thank Nursing Staff

Tygerberg students distributed approximately 1 700 chocolates, each wrapped with a special message, to the nursing staff at Tygerberg Hospital in acknowledgement of their contribution to their education. "We included as many students as possible so that they could make eye contact with the nursing staff and thank them in person for their selfless help," said Ms Adri Brits, the Administrative Head of the Tygerberg Student Council.