January 6, 2014
The excitement on the faces of the children from Khayelitsha, under the care of Simon Tengwa, and a group of children from Gugulethu, under the supervision of Ntombi Magantse, was a good indication that this was going to be a very special day in their lives.
It began on a high note as the children did the sign of the Cross and took part in a short and informal prayer and hymn session in the Church of Saints Nicholas, Raphael and Irene led by Simon Tengwa. Afterwards they eagerly went off to play games and have fun in the garden and even put together a little impromptu concert with MC Pepe Sofianos, singing everything from The lion sleeps tonight to a very touching rendition of Nkosi Sikelele iAfrika as a fond farewell to Madiba. Then it was time for His Eminence to bless the food followed by “The Our Father” in Xhosa and the children tucked into giant hamburgers prepared by Gerry Lancellas and Petros Khaya plus chips and cool drinks followed by festive ice cream.
After lunch, His Eminence blessed the Vasilopita , generously baked by Photini Coulbanis and Nassos Martalas, President of the Hellenic Community, gave each of the children a piece to enjoy. One very thrilled little girl, Yontha Mgijima found the lucky coin in her slice!
Ntombi’s group also put on a rousing dance routine and the air reverberated with the sound of African drumbeats, fast footwork and traditional Xhosa songs.
The rest of the afternoon flew by as the boys played soccer while the girls tried their skills at racquet games. Finally, the excitement level nearly blew the roof off as the children lined up to receive their lovely gifts specially packed by Evgenia Sofianos which included very generous donations from Dimitri Constandinides. His Eminence and Professor Renos Papadopoulos, who is on a visit to Cape Town from London and was also our special guest, handed them out.
Exhausted but totally happy, the kids waved goodbye and blew kisses as they got in the taxis and headed for home. All we could hear as they went down the road was, “Ndiyabulela kakhulu! (“Thank you very very much!”)
By Pepe Sofianos.
Nontsikelelo dancing group with Ntombi beating the African drum
The excitement on the faces of the children from Khayelitsha, under the care of Simon Tengwa, and a group of children from Gugulethu, under the supervision of Ntombi Magantse, was a good indication that this was going to be a very special day in their lives.
It began on a high note as the children did the sign of the Cross and took part in a short and informal prayer and hymn session in the Church of Saints Nicholas, Raphael and Irene led by Simon Tengwa. Afterwards they eagerly went off to play games and have fun in the garden and even put together a little impromptu concert with MC Pepe Sofianos, singing everything from The lion sleeps tonight to a very touching rendition of Nkosi Sikelele iAfrika as a fond farewell to Madiba. Then it was time for His Eminence to bless the food followed by “The Our Father” in Xhosa and the children tucked into giant hamburgers prepared by Gerry Lancellas and Petros Khaya plus chips and cool drinks followed by festive ice cream.
After lunch, His Eminence blessed the Vasilopita , generously baked by Photini Coulbanis and Nassos Martalas, President of the Hellenic Community, gave each of the children a piece to enjoy. One very thrilled little girl, Yontha Mgijima found the lucky coin in her slice!
Ntombi’s group also put on a rousing dance routine and the air reverberated with the sound of African drumbeats, fast footwork and traditional Xhosa songs.
The rest of the afternoon flew by as the boys played soccer while the girls tried their skills at racquet games. Finally, the excitement level nearly blew the roof off as the children lined up to receive their lovely gifts specially packed by Evgenia Sofianos which included very generous donations from Dimitri Constandinides. His Eminence and Professor Renos Papadopoulos, who is on a visit to Cape Town from London and was also our special guest, handed them out.
Exhausted but totally happy, the kids waved goodbye and blew kisses as they got in the taxis and headed for home. All we could hear as they went down the road was, “Ndiyabulela kakhulu! (“Thank you very very much!”)
By Pepe Sofianos.
Prayers in the Metropolitan Church of Saints Raphael, Nicholas
and Irene led by Simon Tengwa
His Eminence Archbishop Sergios blesses the Vasilopita – with
Renos and Nina Papadopoulos, Nassos Martalas, Martha
Dimitriou, Gerry Lancellas, Pepe Sofianos and Evgenia Sofianos
Yontha Mgijima found the lucky coin in her piece of the
Vasilopita – seen here with Pepe Sofianos and Simon Tengwa
Children enjoying their festive Ice Creams in the shade
Petros Kaya and guest of honour, Professor Renos Papadopoulos
handing out the goody bags
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