SAPS brass band dishes out music to elderly

Youth dancers also join the festivities

For the elderly in Hillbrow and Berea, Mandela Day was a time to bask in the sun, listening to the sweet melodies from the Hillbrow police brass band.

The band marched from Constitution Hill in Johannesburg to Barnato High School in Berea, where they spent their 67 minutes entertaining senior citizens and the youth.

Johannesburg East cluster police spokeswoman Captain Tintswalo Sibeko said Mandela Day was special for everyone, including the police.

“We gathered and gave food parcels [and] blankets to the elderly and sanitary pads to young girls that we know are in need,” she said.

Megan Zulu, a 16-year-old dancer, said her group, Versatile, decided to entertain people on Mandela Day to honour the revered late statesman.

Dancer Lithikazi Mazikwana, 11, said Mandela Day was time to remember that the spirit of Tata was “with us”.

Sergeant Olga Munwana from the Cleveland police station said she hoped the day will teach the youth to go out and do things for others like Madiba did.

“We spend time with people so they can look at us as human as well, not always seeing us chasing criminals,” she said.

Sergeant Khumo Maseko, 33, said reaching out to the less privileged stood out for him.

“Playing music was my 67 minutes for Mandela Day. I feel exhausted but happy,” Maseko said.

Granny Elsie Tagana, 62, said she was delighted to have been “spoiled rotten” with music from the police band.