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News - Date: 16 March 2012
The Swiss ambassador to South Africa, Mr Christian Meuwly, visited the Elim Hospital last Friday, to check the infrastructure of the hospital, which his government had established in South Africa more than 100 years ago.
Meuwly said that there was a possibility for his government and the Limpopo government to work together to improve the health facility. "Even though there is a possibility that we can renovate the hospital, it is still too early to tell as I have to report back to Switzerland about the hospital," said Meuwly.
He added that he was excited to see the professionalism in the running of the hospital. He expressed his happiness about the good partnership between his government and the Limpopo government. He was visibly excited when visiting the Swiss Mission Church that is still being used at the hospital. Church services are still held by medical practitioners at the church.
The Elim Hospital was first established by a Swiss missionary, Dr Georges-Louis Liengme, in 1899.
Meuwly also highlighted that there was a need for the training of more doctors and nurses at the hospital. The hospital has always been well known for the good reputation of its optometry division. People from neighbouring countries like Zimbabwe and Mozambique used to visit the hospital for eye treatment. The ambassador also visited the museum, where some of the old medical instruments used by missionaries are displayed. It also relates the history of the Swiss missionaries, the Anglo-Boer War and the local Chief, Njhaka-Njhaka, who leased the land to the missionaries.
The missionaries brought the Christian religion to the people of Njhaka-Njhaka, and churches and schools were built for the community. This was the time when Lemana College of Education was established.
Meanwhile, the chairperson of the hospital board at the hospital, Mr Brighton Tlakula, expressed his appreciation to ambassador Meuwly for his visit. "We thank the Swiss missionaries for bringing religion and the church to the Tsonga-speaking people. They also built a hospital for the community. As a small community, we cannot give Switzerland the support that it has given us."
Elim hospital has now been declared a national monument since it celebrated its 100th birthday. The graves of the missionaries, Anglo-boer commando members and veterans of the Second World War are found within the vicinity of the hospital and the surrounding areas. The hospital currently has 40 doctors.
Peter Muthambi graduated from the University of Venda with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Media Studies. He started writing stories for Limpopo Mirror as well as national papers in 2006. He loves investigative journalism and is also a very keen photographer.
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Elim Hospital was first established by Dr Georges-Louis Liengme in 1899.
The MEC for Health and Social Development, Ms Dikeledi Magadzi, welcomes the ambassador of Switzerland during his visit to Elim Hospital last Friday.
Elim Hospital´s acting CEO, Ms Elbie Vosloo (left), tells the ambassador of Switzerland, Mr Christian Meuwly, the history of the Swiss Mission Church at the hospital and the important role the church is still playing at the hospital. The MEC for Health and Social Development, Ms Dikeledi Magadzi (right), looks on.
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