Juana Maria Frail Aged Home

25/11/2025

TOMORROW: Christmas Carols by Candlelight at Juana Maria Frail Aged Home! 🎄

The wait is almost over! Tomorrow evening we welcome the Ladysmith community to join us for a truly magical Christmas Carols by Candlelight at Juana Maria Frail Aged Home, 60 Francis Road.

🕕 Arrive from 6pm
🕖 Programme begins at 7pm
🚗 Parking at 2 Mason Road (car guards on duty)

As you arrive, you’ll be greeted by our towering Christmas tree, the uplifting sound of Andrew Tucker’s bagpipes, and of course, a visit from Santa Claus! 🎅✨

Make your way through our beautifully decorated garden while enjoying the enchanting violin music of Marisca Campher, whose talent adds a special magic to the evening. 🎻

Candles will be available on a donation basis, and guests are welcome to purchase:
🍔 Hamburgers – R30
🥤 Cooldrinks – R10

There is no set entry fee, but if you are able to give a donation, it would be greatly appreciated.

We invite everyone to wear their Christmas colours and join us for a warm, family-friendly celebration filled with music, lights, and festive cheer.

Let’s come together as a community and welcome the Christmas season in the most beautiful way — by candlelight. 🕯️❤️

📞 For more information: 036 631 0698

24/11/2025

JUANA MARIA BOOKSHOP
📚 📖 📚 📖 📚 📖 📚

Folks, there's a jam-packed day of holiday book shopping on offer this coming Saturday❗

We'll be at the Hlanganani Christmas Market from 9am.
Please pop along to our stand during the day to say "hi" and have a looksie at just a small sample of the amazing reading material available in our amply-stocked bookshop.

Our Francis Road shop will also be open as usual from 9am - 1pm.

PROUDLY THE
FOREMOST BOOKSHOP IN
LADYSMITH & SURROUNDS

📚 📖 📚 📖 📚 📖 📚 📖

24/11/2025

Countdown to Christmas Carols by Candlelight – 2 Days to Go! 🎄

Today we are thrilled to shine a light on someone very special who will be sharing her talent with us on Wednesday evening — the exceptionally gifted Marisca Campher, who will be performing on violin. 🎻

Marisca is already a familiar and much-loved face at Juana Maria Frail Aged Home, where she generously volunteers her time as an occupational therapist, always bringing warmth, kindness, and a sparkle that lights up any room.

Her musical journey began with the piano, but it was during her family’s years in Australia that her love for the violin truly took shape. She found her very first violin in a thrift store — an instrument she still treasures today. Upon returning to South Africa, Marisca continued formal lessons in both violin and piano, nurturing the talent that has become such a meaningful part of her life.

Music runs deep in her family. Marisca, along with her sister and cousins, often performed at weddings and special occasions, a tradition inspired by the “Unique Orkes,” the family orchestra formed by their parents and grandparents. Growing up surrounded by music, it’s no surprise that performing comes so naturally to her. 🎶

Marisca moved to Ladysmith at the beginning of 2024 to be with the love of her life, and in the time since, she has poured her energy into uplifting her community through both her profession and her music. In churches, schools, and here at our home, her presence is always a gift — her gentle personality truly shines before she even plays a single note.

Thank you, Marisca, for sharing your talents, your joy, and your heart with us. We can’t wait to enjoy your beautiful violin music this Wednesday.

🕯️ Christmas Carols by Candlelight – This Wednesday!
📍 Juana Maria Frail Aged Home, 60 Francis Road
🕕 Guests welcome from 6pm | Programme starts at 7pm

🎶 Featuring bagpiper Andrew Tucker, violin music by Marisca Campher, two resident performances, and a visit from Santa Claus.
🍔 Hamburgers (R30) | 🥤 Cooldrinks (R10) | 🕯️ Candles (donation-based)

There is no set entry fee, but we kindly ask for a donation if you can.
🚗 Parking at 2 Mason Road, with car guards on duty.
✨ Wear your Christmas colours and come enjoy a warm, family-friendly evening under the lights.

📞 For more information, contact us at 036 631 0698.

24/11/2025

22/11/2025

Countdown to Carols: A Community That Cares 🎄

As our Christmas Carols by Candlelight evening draws closer, we were blessed with a wonderful group of volunteers who visited Juana Maria Frail Aged Home to help decorate for the festive season. ✨

A heartfelt thank you to each and every person who sacrificed their time to make our home look beautiful. Your kindness, care, and Christmas spirit mean so much to our residents.

If you’d like to see the finished results, we invite you to join us on Wednesday evening for our Carols by Candlelight celebration. It’s going to be a truly magical night!

📅 Christmas Carols by Candlelight
📍 Juana Maria Frail Aged Home, 60 Francis Road
🕕 Guests welcome from 6pm | Programme starts at 7pm

🎶 Enjoy the uplifting sound of bagpiper Andrew Tucker, a visit from Santa Claus, and beautiful pre-service violin music by Marisca Campher. Two residents will also be performing on the night.

💡 Entry: No set fee — we kindly ask for a donation if you can.
🕯️ Candles available (donation-based)
🍔 Hamburgers (R30) | 🥤 Cooldrinks (R10)

🚗 Parking at 2 Mason Road, with car guards on duty.
🎄 Wear your Christmas colours and join us for a warm, family-friendly evening.

📞 For more information, contact us at 036 631 0698.

21/11/2025

The Silly Season Has Officially Begun! ✨🎄

Roma Howard, Bokkie Beneke and Sonja Fourie are embracing the festive spirit this year — transforming into our very own real-life Elves on the Shelf!

And let’s just say… these elves are everywhere. 😄

First, they were spotted on an electric scooter outside a shop down the road from the home. Then, off they went hopping aboard a tiny choo-choo train in a mall. And just when we thought we’d seen it all… there they were again, climbing into a mini fire truck!

At this rate, there’s no telling what festive mischief they’ll get up to next — or where we’ll catch them!

Keep your eyes peeled… our elves are on the move!

21/11/2025

Can You Help Us Shine a Little Brighter? 🎄

As we continue the countdown to our Christmas Carols by Candlelight evening on Wednesday, 26 November, we are adding the finishing touches to the decorations — and we could really use the community’s help.

If anyone in Ladysmith has outdoor, working Christmas lights they no longer need and would like to donate, it would be greatly appreciated.
You are welcome to contact the home or simply bring them to us at 60 Francis Road. Every string of lights helps make our garden even more magical for the residents and visitors. ✨

And don’t forget —
🌟 Carols by Candlelight
📍 60 Francis Road
📅 Wednesday, 26 November
🕕 Guests welcome from 6pm — Programme starts 7pm

There is no set entry fee, but visitors are kindly asked to give a donation if they can. Parking will be available at 2 Mason Road, with car guards on duty.

Guests will be welcomed by our giant Christmas tree, the uplifting sound of bagpiper Andrew Tucker, and even a visit from Santa Claus.
🍔 Hamburgers (R30),
🥤 Cooldrinks (R10), and
🕯️ Candles (donation-based) will be available.

Before the service, enjoy violin music by Marisca Campher as you walk through the decorated back garden, where two of our talented residents will also perform during the evening.

We encourage everyone to wear Christmas colours and be part of this warm, family-friendly celebration.

💬 For more information, contact Juana Maria Frail Aged Home at 036 631 0698.

21/11/2025

In Loving Memory of Nico & Lydia Botha

It is with heavy hearts that we share the sad news of the passing of Nico and Lydia Botha, who tragically lost their lives in an accident. Nico and Lydia were the daughter and son-in-law of one of our residents, and they were well-known to many here at Juana Maria Frail Aged Home for the kindness, support and generosity they showed our home over the years.

A memorial service will be held in their honour, and we extend our heartfelt condolences to their family during this very difficult time. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

May their memory be a blessing to all who knew and loved them.

20/11/2025

A Heartfelt Visit from NG Moedergemeente ✨

Yesterday, our home was blessed with a special visit from the NG Moedergemeente, led by Ds. de Lange. Residents and friends gathered as Ds. de Lange delivered a moving sermon that filled the room with comfort and encouragement.

Afterwards, everyone enjoyed a delightful spread of cakes, cookies, sweet treats, and savoury bites — all lovingly prepared by the congregation. The kindness didn’t stop at our front door; members of the church even crossed the road to share snacks with Thuys Jacobsz.

Thank you, NG Moedergemeente, for spending the morning with us and for the thoughtful surprise. Your generosity and fellowship truly brightened our day.

20/11/2025

Countdown to Carols: A Tree to Welcome the Season! 🎄

Our countdown to Carols by Candlelight on Wednesday 26 November continues, and today we’re celebrating another touch of festive magic at Juana Maria Frail Aged Home! ✨

Resident Ken Saunders shared a beautiful photo of our huge Christmas tree, which was put up yesterday, standing proudly at the front entrance. It’s the perfect welcome for residents and visitors as we prepare for next week’s special evening. 🌟

Every decoration, light, and festive detail brings us one step closer to a night filled with music, community, and Christmas spirit. We can’t wait to see you there.

Juana Maria Frail Aged Home
Christmas Carols by Candlelight
📅 Wednesday, 26 November
📍 60 Francis Road (parking at 2 Mason Road with car guards)
🕕 Arrive from 6pm
🕯️ Donations welcomed
🎄 Christmas colours encouraged

19/11/2025

Behind the Scenes: Bringing the Christmas Magic to Life!✨

With only a few days to go until our Christmas Carols by Candlelight, the excitement is growing — and so is the sparkle at Juana Maria Frail Aged Home!

Yesterday, the back garden (where the Carols will take place) was a hive of Christmas cheer as lights were strung, tested, and carefully placed to create the perfect festive atmosphere.

A huge thank you to:
🌟 Resident Ken Saunders for capturing these wonderful behind-the-scenes moments,
🌟 Our hardworking maintenance team members,
🌟 Residents (Mr Burger), and committee members Marietjie and Flip Fourie,
…for helping to turn our garden into a glowing Christmas wonderland.

The photos were taken during the day, so you can’t see the full magic just yet —
✨ to see the lights truly come alive, make sure you join us on the night! ✨

📅 Wednesday, 26 November
📍 60 Francis Road (parking at 2 Mason Road with car guards)
🕕 Arrive from 6pm
🕯️ Donations welcomed
🎄 Christmas colours encouraged

The countdown continues — and thank you again, Ken, for these special snapshots!