The Lowvelder

Pumalanga’s dream of lapa realised

- Ian Hugh Fleming

MBOMBELA - When seven retired ladies decided to upgrade their retirement village lapa, nothing in the world was going to stop them.

“We decided we needed a place where our families can visit in comfort and style, and residents can relax and enjoy a braai and gettogethe­r,” said Tannie Baby Nel, the organiser of the Pumalanga Aftreeoord’s brand-new lapa.

To this end, the team, assisted by two of the retirement village’s male residents, went to work raising the funds.

It took a whole lot of cake sales, white elephants, samoosas, curry and rice and vetkoek sales, as well as concerted fundraisin­g drives for cash sponsors to raise the R85 000 required for the project.

“The hearts and hands of so many people from Nelspruit were open to our project,” said Nel.

Additional funding and sponsorshi­p came from BUCO, electrical suppliers ACDC Express, and the Swift Group.

Although the idea came to Tannie Baby in 2019, the actual building project was organised in lightning speed. The building started in August and was completed just two months later.

Now the retirement village’s gracious ladies and esteemed gents can take a break from their home units and relax in the lapa’s spacious, cool and perfectly built entertainm­ent area.

The residents thanked Pottie and Carien Potgieter, singer Bianca Swift for the beautiful music, and all who made the dream come true.

“We’re going to enjoy the fruits of our labour for a long time to come. We’re thrilled with the results,” said Nel.

 ?? ?? Alf and Martie Pelser, Maureen Schoeman, Marlene van Vuuren, Baby Nel, Anita Breedt, Marie Kotzé and Rika and Klasie Human.
Alf and Martie Pelser, Maureen Schoeman, Marlene van Vuuren, Baby Nel, Anita Breedt, Marie Kotzé and Rika and Klasie Human.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from South Africa