NEWS
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During Tim Barry’s presentation to parents during the Singakwenza Talking Parenting series, parents were challenged to facilitate the ideal conditions in which children naturally explore, grow and are stimulated. The next talk in the series will be in August. Follow Singakwenza on Facebook to find out more details or visit www.singakwenza.co.za. Pictured at the talk are (from left) Julie Hay (Singakwenza director), Tim Barry, Sonya Voigts, Chrissie van Niekerk, Linda Hill (Singakwenza fundraiser) and Andre Voigts.
May 21, 2014
maritzburg
FEVER
Kids growth and exploration
PHOTO: SUPPLIED
First IDAHO march in PMB
Positive changes at Netcare St Anne’s >> New appointments and ahead of schedule on their expansion project NICOLE JOHN
>>nicole@pmbfever.co.za
T
PHOTO:SUPPLIED
IDAHO was commemorated by the Gay and Lesbian Network with a march through the city on 17 May.
NICOLE JOHN
>>nicole@pmbfever.co.za A MARCH celebrating the International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) took place for the first time in Pietermaritzburg recently. IDAHO is internationally celebrated throughout the world by all homosexuals who have braved the ridicule of society as a homosexual person. On this day, those who have been victimised because of their sexuality and those who continue to combat homophobia and hate crimes are remembered. The first IDAHO took place ten years ago and has since established itself as the single most important date for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersexed (LGBTI) communities to mobilise on a worldwide scale. The celebration is not centralised to one event, but rather is focused on being a moment and incorporating itself into every community to raise awareness.
The date, 17 May was chosen to commemorate the World Health Organization’s decision in 1990 to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder. The Gay and Lesbian Network (GLN) commemorated IDAHO, remembering the many LGBTI people across the world who face ongoing discrimination, hate crimes and even murder as a result of their sexual orientation. “We cannot forget the black lesbians in South Africa who are brutally assaulted, raped and even murdered because of their sexual preferences. It is hoped that this march highlighted the plight of LGBTIs in our society to the Pietermaritzburg community and created awareness of what LGBTI people go through every day,” said Anthony Waldhausen, GLN director. He added that the march also created a space for LGBTI’s and the rest of the community to stand up against all forms of homophobia and hatecrimesbutmostofalltobeunited in the cause of the LGBTI people.
HERE are many changes happening at Netcare St Anne’s Pietermaritzburg. The most recent is the appointment of Ashika Norman and Felicity Basson as nursing manager and deputy nursing manager respectively. Norman has been at the hospital since 1998, when she was a brand new registered nurse. She moved through the ranks as the years went by and last year, was appointed as deputy nursing manager and was quickly promoted to nursing manager in January this year. “All I can say is that when you stay in this company, you grow and becomemoreempowered.Iamhappy to be a part of the change that is taking place here,” said Norman. She said that they have a good team of highly specialized nurses and that she plans to capitalize on that by offering a mentorship programme to empower younger nurses. Norman is joined by Basson who has over 25 years of experience in the nursing field. Born and bred in Pietermaritzburg, Basson worked as a staff nurse at the hospital in 1993. She recently returned from East London where she was managing two hospitals and was appointed deputy nursing manager at Netcare St Anne’s at the beginning of April. “Thisisstillmyhomeanditisvery nice to be able to come back here. It is the biggest honour to come back to the hospital in a different capacity. I come with more experience and
PHOTO:JONATHAN BURTON
Pictured outside the new block at Netcare St Annes is new nursing man ager Ashika Norman (L) with hospital manager Louis Joubert and newly appointed deputy nursing manager Felicity Basson (R). different ideas and it is exciting to be able to implement some of them. I know there will be challenges but I am eager to begin,” said Basson. Hospital manager, Louis Joubert, said that they are slightly ahead of schedule in terms of the building expansion project, which includes an increase in the number of beds at the hospital. He said that they will be offering an enhanced service of disease
profiling which will cater for patient’s individual needs. Parking, which remains an issue at the hospital, will also be addressed during the project developments. “We are the most specialized hospital in the midlands area and we want to thank the people of Pietermaritzburg for the patience and support during the developments at the hospital,” said Joubert.