The 2025 Chronicle

Mr James Fleming and Mr Brendan Gittins. Thank you for trust ing me with this position and giving me the space to improve the San where I can, while preserving good structures and tra ditions. Your support this year has been invaluable. James, I look forward to working together in 2026. Sadly, Brendan is leaving us for the smoky City of Gold. While we congratulate him on being appointed the headmaster of Jeppe High School, we will miss his level-headed approach in management of com plex issues and his clear decision making. LOOKING AHEAD It has truly been a year of growth, learning and collaboration. I am grateful to God for his divine intervention and support when I have felt overwhelmed. Getting to know the staff and under standing the unique dynamics of running a clinic in Balgowan has been an incredible journey. I can confidently say that the San is in a strong position, supported by an excellent team committed to the health and well-being of the boys. We have ambitious plans for the San. In addition to the pro posed dispensary, we have plans to redesign our treatment rooms, creating two fully stocked rooms that will enable more space to work and a more streamlined storage of stock. With the progress we’ve made this year and the dedication of our team, I am confident that we are well prepared for whatever challenges come our way. Here’s to another year of growth, innovation and providing the best possible care for your children. Thank you for trusting us to look after them – we are proud to be part of this incredible community.

I think about the experience I had with Harry Witherspoon. I had removed the sutures from his hand and in the absence of Merthiolate spray I wanted to use some gentian violet (an antiseptic drying agent) to paint his suture line in order to seal it. I didn’t realise that the bottle had not been opened with a needle yet, and in pushing the bottle it burst, raining purple gentian violet all over his lap and my uniform and the floor, cupboards and walls. Needless to say we had nothing on Bar ney – purple literally from head to toe. Harry kept his compo sure – unlike my sisters – quickly excused himself and went to change his shorts. Mr Shezi was amazing in using vinegar and various secret chemicals, and managed to get the San spot less. I acquired a new pair of shorts for Harry from the Trade Inn, and the Laundry kindly labelled them for me. I now have a new recipe for removal of gentian violet from a red uniform. Thinking of going “viral” with it. Rorisung Obase, who seriously injured his ankle and came three times a day to cryo it with our new ice machine, always ar rived with a smile on his face despite his injury. He showed real courage and is now known by all of us as Smiley. Max Oliva’s signature roastie dressing to his elbow made an appearance in Jesus Christ Superstar and gave us a good laugh. The numer ous boys who rang the emergency bell at their bedside thinking it was a light switch sped up our pulses a bit. Then there was the mottled kitty that often appeared at doc tor’s clinic – not sure if he was coming for a CAT scan but each time we had to show him the door and a way out. And the mon key that couldn’t get into our scheduled meds lock-up box and jumped on top of it in frustration before running from the San. All these happenings help to round out our San experiences with the boys, making for really memorable moments. GRATITUDE TO THE TEAM AND LEADERSHIP None of our achievements would have been possible without the unwavering dedication and support of our incredible team. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the permanent staff – Sr Mbali Miya, Sr Sane Ntuli and Sr Umme-Haani Arbee – whose commitment to providing the best medical care and support for our boys has been truly inspiring. Their hard work and compassion have been the backbone of our operations, en suring that every boy receives the care he needs, when he needs it most. Sr Mbali is leaving us for an opportunity offering financial educational assistance for her two boys; we will miss her but wish her everything of the very best in her new venture. Dr Poole continued to support our team by being only a phone call away, and coming to the San twice a week to see boys. We thank him for sharing his expertise with us and treating our boys effectively. Mrs Jenay Ngcobo, our accounts administrator, was a great help in managing our insurance claims and accounts. She left us at the end of September but continued to help with claims until the end of the year, and we wish her all the best – she will be missed. Mr Lungelo Shezi and Mrs Joyce Nxumalo, our clean ing staff, kept the San spick and span. Lungelo also worked overtime, helping us during the rugby season, ferrying injured boys who could not walk from the first-aid room to the San, and keeping us well watered and fed, as well as keeping up our ice supplies. Joyce leaves us at the end of this year to retire after 38 years of service, quite an innings. Everything of the best in your retirement, Joyce. I would also like to extend my deepest thanks to my managers,

Kitsy offers fur‑st aid cuddles in the SAN

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