Mentally impaired patients could not stop smiling after a prominent Limpopo businesswoman handed them a cheque of R20 000 last Thursday.

In a bid to instill a sense of confidence amongst the people with mental disabilities, Ms Annah Magwaba of Magwaba Bus Service has been a parental figure for the mentally disabled patients at Hayani Hospital, near Sibasa, for the past three years. The adoption of the hospital by Magwaba is a joint initiative between her and Mr Elias Mathivha, a hardworking staff member of the Department of Health and Social Development. After a lengthy discussion and countless meetings between the two, Magwaba finally gave in and went beyond her social responsibilities by adopting the hospital.

Magwaba said she wanted to educate other community members that it is everyone’s social responsibility to take care of the mentally disabled because they were created by God like all of us. "I am not doing this for name or fame. It is the responsibility of Magwaba Bus Service to plough back into the community. We have the responsibility to love, care and give hope to mentally ill patients. As we celebrate our democracy, we must not forget that the mentally disabled are part of our community. Mental illness is a chronic but manageable disorder that needs support service in the treatment program through rehabilitation." Magwaba occasionally hold parties for the patients at the Hayani Hospital and provides them with food and clothing. She also pays regular visits to meet and mingle with them. Last year, she dispatched two buses to take the patients to the Kruger National Park for an excursion as part of their treatment program through rehabilitation. She did all this with funds from her own pocket!

Magwaba calls on other businesspeople to adopt programs in different mental hospitals. "I am making a call to all business executives to adopt certain programs in mental hospitals throughout the country. It is our responsibility to help our communities because they made us what we are today.

The deputy nursing manager at Hayani Hospital, Mr Robert Lavhelani, did not have enough words to thank Magwaba for her kind heart. "She has been a pillar of strength in this hospital and her contributions will remain to be seen every day. We thank her a thousand times for her assistance."