Elana treats Elsies River seniors to a little magic
TEA TIME at the Elsies River Nazareth House home for the aged was a lot more lively than usual when senior citizens received a visit from local TV personality Elana Afrika-Bredenkamp.
Yesterday elderly residents were entertained with a magic show, a free make-over for the ladies and an afternoon of song as Afrika-Bredenkamp played the piano.
As a tribute to the 10 years she spent playing piano at the AFM Matroosfontein church, Afrika-Bredenkamp chose the event in Elsies River as one of her contributions to Mandela Day festivities.
Afrika-Bredenkamp was part of the film crew from the Expresso morning television show, which spent more than the average 67 minutes doing their bit for a better society as the world recognises Nelson Mandela’s 67 years in service to his country, ahead of his birthday on July 18.
“Expresso wanted us to do something and I chose this,” Afrika-Bredenkamp said.
Residents, initially apprehensive of the cameras and microphones, quickly warmed to the visitors as they were captivated by Alexander the Magician who had more than a few tricks up his sleeve.
The room was stunned into silence as the magician appeared to convert money into larger denominations while his card tricks and bending cutlery elicited gasps from the audience.
While the tea pots and biscuits were wheeled in, the women were invited to have a bit of lip gloss and blush applied by professional make-up artists.
Afrika-Bredenkamp took them on a trip down memory lane, singing popular Sunday school songs to get the audience going. Residents clapped and sang along.
The home accommodates 26 residents. Facility manager James Adriaanse said the youngest resident is 73 years old and the eldest is 97. Adriaanse said visits were always appreciated.
“Anything that the community does they appreciate and look forward to. You can’t tell them too far in advance if we’ve planned something because they’ll ask you everyday about it,” Adriaanse said.
Adriaanse said the staff were like a second family to many of the residents.
Gayenor Milne, general manager for Nazareth House Cape Town and Elsies River, said some of the residents they cared for were sometimes neglected or had been victims of abuse or abandonment, which was why they tried to maintain a sense of family for those residents where possible.