Rand Aid’s Tarentaal retirement village celebrated its 34th anniversary on 1 June with a special thanksgiving service conducted by Reverend Melany Cook and Reverend Iain Kemp from the Presbyterian Church.
Phase 1 of Tarentaal retirement village was completed in 1988 and the official opening was held on 1 June that year. At the time, the retirement village had 192 units (48 one-bedroom units and 144 studio apartments).
Tarentaal’s Chapel was built in 1991. It was inspired by a photograph Len Sloan (Tarentaal’s general manager at that time) brought back from the UK of a chapel there.
Phase 2 of Tarentaal (108 units) was completed in 1996.
Margaret Denny, who moved to Tarentaal on 1 October 2001, is one of the residents who have lived in the village the longest.
At the anniversary celebration, she shared her memories of Tarentaal over the years and expressed her thanks to God and Rand Aid Association for being able to live in such a ‘lovely, homely village’.
“I am grateful for the space and beautiful gardens where it’s safe to go for long walks. I am also grateful for the services offered by the clinic, security guards and domestic workers,” she said.
While Tarentaal offers independent community living, residents are also able to take part in a variety of social activities.
“Our 34th anniversary was well attended and our residents enjoyed delicious refreshments after the service,” says Tammy Nielson, Tarentaal’s manager.
