HAVE YOUR Thanks to Makhanda community for your ubuntu

Dear Makhanda community: Last Friday was going to be an ordinary, typically hot February day ad we did not think that by 3pm we would have to make the difficult call to start evacuating some residents and place the frail care at Somerset Place Society on high alert due to a bush fire.

The call for evacuation was informed by the fast-spreading bush fire that had jumped Lucas Meyer Avenue on to the Somerset Place property just above our Yellowwood residential units.

Plumes of thick smoke blanketed our little village.

Little did we know we would receive such tremendous support from the community not only to fight the fires, but also for the small, but important logistical tasks one would normally take for granted during an evacuation or emergency.

If we were to mention each person by name one would think we were creating a database of some sorts.

Instead, in the true spirit of appreciation and thanks for selfless commitment, we thank the entire community.

We also thank those who were not directly involved but nevertheless contributed like the wife keeping her husband’s dinner warm at home; the son who was tending the garden at home while Dad was driving the water truck; or the next-door neighbour who was babysitting because Mom was taking names of people who had not checked in. It all counts.

We do, however, have special mentions that need acknowledgement.

We thank: St Andrews College for making their sanatorium available to our frail care residents and providing meals for both residents and staff on duty; Gardmed for immediate medical assistance and transporting residents first to a private residence and then to the St Andrew’s San and returning the residents to Somerset Place the next morning; Sue Dowdle, Di

Hornby; Ammy McGillawae; the Makana fire department; the Somerset Place maintenance guys who were on the frontline; Suzi-Q, the various vets and animal societies; and lastly, the dedicated staff who were on duty and those that came in voluntarily while being off shift, and Owen Skae.

While it may have felt like one of the worst times for us, it brought out the best in our staff, neighbours and community.

Just saying “thank you” doesn’t seem like enough but in hindsight, this is ubuntu in its true sense and proudly South African. We thank you.