The star of Rand Aid Association’s long service awards this year was Paulina Namo, the nursing services manager at Thembalami Care Centre who was rewarded for a whopping 40 years of service.
Paulina started working at Rand Aid in 1984. In that year, cheese cost R5.99 p/kg, 250g of bacon cost R1.95, and a packet of Bakers tennis biscuits cost 79c. Archbishop Desmond Tutu won the Nobel Peace Prize, and dissatisfaction over rent increases sparked the bloody Vaal Uprising. South Africa was a decade away from achieving democracy.
During her four decades at Rand Aid, Paulina has seen significant changes in the country and her profession. What has not changed, however, is her dedication to the well-being of the people in her care.
She was one of 45 Rand Aid employees honoured on August 22 at the Tarentaal Retirement Village hall. Since the awards were implemented 19 years ago, 1 667 people have received awards ranging from five to 45 years of service. This represents a staggering 14 165 years.
Paulina was employed as a ward sister at the Bramley Old Age Home and was part of the Wedge Gardens treatment centre team for some years before being promoted to nursing services manager at both Wedge and Thembalami in 2007.
“Paulina was continuously promoted, first at Bramley to night superintendent, overseeing two frail care wards, and the flats and cottages,” says Ayanda Matthews, who heads up Rand Aid’s Compliance and Social React Division.
When the Lombardy East property that today houses Thembalami Care Centre and the Max Ordman Deaf Association (MODA) was acquired and renovated, she moved with the older residents as their matron.
Paulina attributes her work ethic to her strict grandmother and the time she spent finishing her schooling at a convent in England.
She believes that her greatest achievements were to mentor and support careworkers and enrolled nurses at Thembalami. The people she took under her wing went on to pursue nursing careers not only internally, but also at different provincial and private institutions. Under her guidance, 15 enrolled nursing assistants (ENAs) qualified as enrolled nurses, and one completed her professional nursing qualification and was recently promoted to professional nurse.
“Paulina also guided a staff member to become a qualified paramedic, who was recently employed by the emergency services,” says Ayanda.
“She also supervised and trained many careworkers and ENA students from the Arwyp Training Institute and Lunghile Nursing Schools, and some of them were placed at Thembalami.
“I salute Paulina for her dedication to the nursing fraternity. Not only does she have a passion for nursing, but she also has compassion for the elderly she so diligently serves. She has touched the hearts of many a resident and impacted and imparted this compassion to staff members.”
Two decades
George Vermeulen, Rand Aid’s grounds manager (head office), was recognised for 20 years of service.
With a mechanical background. having worked in a motor vehicle workshop and as a service technician at a tobacco company, Rand Aid’s management believed that George would be the perfect person for the Rand Aid workshop. He started his Rand Aid career in July 2004 as a mechanic.
“George took responsibility for the maintenance and repairs of the Rand Aid vehicles until he fell ill. After his recovery in 2007, he was reallocated to the grounds and became the grounds manager. He completed an intensive horticultural training course that enabled him to take the gardens to the next level,” says Ayanda.
“George is well known to all residents and staff. He is always willing to share his opinion and get stuck in when a job needs doing. For 20 years, George has been contributing towards the maintenance and improvement of Rand Aid.”
15 years of service
The housekeeper at Ron Smith Care Centre, Portia Ngobeni, was awarded for 15 years of service. Currently, Portia runs the linen room, manages the Ron Smith Care Centre housekeeping team, and is the stand-in supervisor for the Elphin Lodge Retirement Village domestic team when their supervisor is on leave. She also assists at the Elphin reception when they are short-staffed. “We all know the twinkle in her eye, but also the stern look!” says Ayanda.
Mantji Makhwiting, an enrolled nurse at Thembalami Care Centre, was also recognised for 15 years of service. Mantji is in charge of both the Ibis ward and the MODA section. “She is loyal and humble and displays great empathy towards the special-needs residents in her care. She is always willing to assist in an emergency and is a great team leader known for boosting morale and encouraging interpersonal connections.”
George Vermuelen (20 years), Gert Coetzee (Rand Aid CEO, Portia Ngobeni (20 years), Paulina Namo (40 years), and Paul Carter (chairman of the Rand Aid board).
Nursing services manager Paulina Namo received an award for 40 years of service.
