Read Time:3 Minute, 57 Second

Nelson Mandela Day – 67 Minutes of Kindness- Bonafide x Netflorist + Full Circle Experimental Agency

First of all, Bonafide welcomes Reiss, as our newest Contributor. He done some incredible work with Netflorist on Mandela Day.

Mandela Day is a special day dedicated to doing good for 67 minutes in honour of Former President, Nelson Mandela. Companies, socialites and citizens, from around the country, give back to the community in a multitude of ways. Whether great or small, it’s about doing your part in spreading love, peace and generosity. Firstly, I would like to express my gratitude to Netflorist for giving us the opportunity to give back to the aged communities of Eden Haven Retirement Home and the Riverlea Retirement Home. It has been a momentous occasion that should certainly occur more than once a year.

Netflorist provided twelve lovely cakes and both homes were exceptionally grateful to spend their time with us, enjoying a slice or two, of delicious cake, made especially for them. Quality time spent with the people at the respective homes and gaining a different sense of gratitude and appreciation from each.

EdenHaven retirement home, based in Edenvale, was filled with delightful elderly patrons that seem to be close-knit bunch. They have an impressive schedule which allows all the people from the home to interact with each other daily, eating their daily meals together and on scheduled times, which included two tea-time sessions! The home offers several social activities, where patrons are welcome to play games together, book reading or just sitting out in the sun with their companions probably speaking about their incredible lives and sharing stories about their families. It was more of a community home so they have the opportunity of friendship and well-being rather than a drop-off for oldies! They also seem very content and happy, because their friends and families visit them often and check on them regularly.

They have a nursing sister that is also very close with the Home’s patrons, so there is also nursing care for them. They’re well-loved and well looked after.

We had a chat with a lovely lady from France, who was blind, but we chatted for some time and listened to her incredible stories. There was also a gentleman from Ireland who forms part of the little Gentleman’s Club at the home! Seems the guys were limited edition amongst all the dames of the home and therefore pretty popular. They had doughnuts at tea-time right before we got there, so some of the patrons decided to enjoy some time in the sun and others indulged with us in light conversation and Netflorist cake eating!

We ended the day at Edenhaven Retirement Home, with a welcoming farewell, which included hugs!

There were fortunately some uncut cakes left, so we took 3 cakes back with us to spend time with the patients at the Alexandra Hospice at their request. Alexandra is an undeveloped township on the outskirts of Sandton. The patients there, could certainly use a little cheer and affection. If you are brave enough to tackle the streets of this township, we urge that you try to lend your hand, for those in need at the home in Alexandra. They need it. Due to time constraints, we were unfortunately not successful in offering them some cake and conversation. Remember that a booking is essential. So, we derived another plan to share some cake.

The next day begun with an afternoon tea break at the Riverlea Retirement Resort who welcomed the beautiful Netflorist cakes, with open arms.

Riverlea Retirement Resort has miniature self-catering old-age homes clustered together. The government built the facility in a way, for it to be easy for the community members to spend time and reach out to one another; even if it’s just to borrow a cup of sugar. We had a lovely time spreading love and enjoying our time spent handing out cakes with another group of people who certainly deserves to smile more often.

This year is Nelson Mandela’s 100^th birthday, He has done so much for our country throughout his time with us and the goodness is still pouring out in his honour.

What a LEGEND!

I doubt that anyone can replicate his good work! It is on this day that we can celebrate the Freedom and Democracy we now have, because of him. By continuing this movement, the annual giving of 67 minutes of time and love, we can all achieve warmth in our hearts and hopefully inspire our generation and the next; applauding the past generation for contributing to our today.

HAPPY MANDELA DAY TO ALL.