Knysna Sedgefield Hospice

28/04/2026

Something meaningful is coming - and it starts with access to palliative care services.
As we fast approach Hospice Week 2026 (4–10 May), we're thinking about the thousands of South Africans who receive dignified, compassionate palliative care from APCC members every single day, whether they are insured or not.
Access to palliative care is not a privilege. It is a right. And this week, we want to shine a light on the organisations making that access real.
One of them is Stepping Stone Hospice, a member whose journey from the most humble of beginnings to achieving 5-Star COHSASA accreditation is a testament to what resilience, commitment, and heart can achieve when the goal is simply this - to reach those who need care most.
Their story, and so many others, will be front and centre during Hospice Week 2026.
Stay with us. Powerful stories are coming.
Learn more: apcc.org.za/hospice-week-2026

28/04/2026

🎉 Happy Birthday, Stella! 🎉
Today we celebrate you — a truly special part of our Hospice family. As a Senior Community Care Worker, your compassion, dedication, and gentle care touch so many lives every single day.
Thank you for the kindness you share so freely and for the comfort you bring to those who need it most. You make a difference in ways words can’t fully express.
Wishing you a day filled with love, appreciation, and all the joy you so richly deserve. 💐✨
With gratitude from all of us at Hospice 💙

27/04/2026

Freedom Day 🇿🇦
Today we reflect on freedom — not only as a nation, but in the small, meaningful moments.
At Knysna Sedgefield Hospice, we see freedom in comfort, dignity, and compassionate care. 💙
Proudly serving our community, walking alongside patients and families every step of the way.

20/04/2026

Wonderful early day snippets from Sr Jenny Shaw!

"On a farm in the Homtini area is where little ‘Sam’ was born to ‘Sarah’, aged thirteen, whose granny ‘Molly’ we were looking after at the time. As time went by little Sam was to inherit my twin grandsons’ cast-me-offs. Knysna as usual opened their hearts and pockets to this little family and today he is a thriving fourteen-year-old (would be 29yrs old now)– a year older than his mother was when he was born. Time flies! From this family came a gift of Wild Irises that still thrive in my garden and keep my memories alive.

On this same farm was an elderly couple, he with cancer and she his carer. He was put on liquid morphine and she was instructed to keep it safe from the children. She took her caring duty very seriously and he never missed a dose. However she did confide ‘Hierdie medisyne is fantasties – dit laat jou so lekker voel’. Being very thorough, she used to taste each dose to make sure it was going to work!

Further down the road at Elandskraal lived ‘Sophie’, who, despite her cancer and having to go all the way to George for her chemo, took on her sister’s children. She was always so grateful for the little things one took her. She once gave me a bunch of yellow plastic tulips. Much to my children’s amusement I planted them in my garden and there they remain, faded, but a wonderful memory of a wonderful lady."

20/04/2026

Knysna Sedgefield Hospice will be sharing the stories and strong campaign led by APCC Assoc of Palliative Care Centres for South Africa, as we stand together calling for a healthcare system where Palliative care is recognised, supported and available to all. https://www.appcc.org.za/hospice-week-2026

St Francis Hospice (Kouga)Hospice: St Francis Hospice (Kouga) Name of patient: Nonza Written by: John Adam Diagnosis: Confidential Message: Hospices are often misunderstood as buildings where patients spend their final days. Our members actually focus on enhancing quality of life and 90% of the care...

07/04/2026

Happy Birthday, Gwen! 🎉
Today we celebrate you — our incredible Senior Community Care Worker and Social Auxiliary. Your compassion, dedication, and the care you bring to every patient and family make such a meaningful difference in our Hospice community.
May today be an extra special day filled with love, appreciation, and all the joy you so generously give to others every day. 💐
With gratitude and warm wishes from all of us 💙

06/04/2026

"In early 1986 my mother became ill and was diagnosed a few months later with a malignant brain tumour. My father and I, and 3 year old Ross spent quite a bit of time in Cape Town at Groote Schuur Hospital while she received radiation treatment. Then she came home to Knysna with a brief improvement in her condition, but we all knew she was going to die.
It was a desperate time – and our heads were cloudy with emotion and worry.
But fortunately for us, that was the year when Hospice started in Knysna and came into our lives together with the nurses, mainly Fiona Simpson who helped us care for Mum. I will always remember my father turning to me when Fiona had made her first visit, and telling me she was an angel – such was the instant relief we felt – that we were not alone, that caring, gentle people were going to help us through this difficult time.
We were lovingly told how her end might come, but our children were encouraged to be around, doing homework and other normal activities. I know Mum loved this, and it meant they were involved. Eventually she slipped into a coma and three days later died on October 27th 1986.
Of course it was terribly sad for all of us, but we knew we could not have done more for Mum, and that she was able to die peacefully and with dignity – through the support and guidance of Hospice.
It is probably only when you experience the benefits of Hospice yourself, that you fully understand and appreciate what this wonderful organisation stands for and means in people’s lives.
Through my learning about this amazing work first hand, I wanted to become involved, and since I had secretarial skills, I was part of the administration team in its early stages." Marilyn Cairns

03/04/2026

This Easter, we pause to honour a season that holds deep meaning for many 💛
May this time bring moments of reflection, comfort, and renewed hope to you.

01/04/2026

You’re Invited
Join us for a relaxed and welcoming tea as we introduce our upcoming hospice bereavement support group.
This is open to anyone who would like support in working through grief — no matter how long ago your loss may have been. 💛
Come and find out more:
Date: Fri 10 April
⏰ Time: 10h00
📍 Venue: Knysna Sedgefield Hospice
24 Wilson Street, Hunters Home, Knysna
Come and find out more in a safe, compassionate space and connect with others on a similar journey.
📞 RSVP:
Connie – 044 384 0593
Linda – 083 680 9620

There is no charge for these sessions. By donation.

26/03/2026

🌿 Welcoming Our New CEO!!
Knysna-Sedgefield Hospice is delighted to welcome Mariana de Lange as our new CEO.
Mariana brings 35 years of professional experience across the banking and non-profit sectors. After a successful 26-year career in banking, she joined our hospice ten years ago as Human Resources Manager and Company Secretary, where she has played a key role in strengthening our governance and organisational systems.
With a deep understanding of the hospice and a strong commitment to compassionate care, Mariana looks forward to continuing KSH’s mission of supporting patients and families across our community.

“Knysna-Sedgefield Hospice has been close to my heart for many years. It is an honour to lead an organisation that provides such meaningful care and support to our community. I look forward to building on the strong foundation already in place and continuing our shared commitment to ‘Locals caring for Locals.’”
Mariana

Please join us in congratulating Mariana on her new role and wishing her well as she leads Knysna-Sedgefield Hospice into the future. 💚

26/03/2026

26/03/2026

Today we honour and celebrate Sr Hilary Grey for her remarkable service to Knysna Sedgefield Hospice from 01 April 2011 to 01 April 2026 — an incredible 15 years of dedication, including 7 years as our CEO.
Sr Hilary has elevated the standard of care, leadership, and compassion in every area of our organisation. Her expertise, vision, and unwavering commitment have left a lasting legacy that will continue to shape our Hospice for years to come.
As she now hands over the baton, we warmly welcome Mariana de Lange, who will continue building on this strong foundation.
With deep gratitude, we thank Sr Hilary for her extraordinary contribution and wish her every blessing in this next chapter.





Mariana de Lange