BY EPN REPORTER
MANZINI – Baphalali Eswatini Red Cross Society First Director Dr. Thandi Dlamini has applauded the Red Cross members and volunteers for keeping the spirit and identity of the Red Cross movement.
Dr. Dlamini who was the guest speaker, said this on Saturday (November 23, 2024) during the Baphalali Eswatini Red Cross Society Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at the Manzini Catholic Centre.
“Thank you Baphalali for keeping the spirit and identity of the Red Cross movement through your volunteerism spirit. The Red Cross is distinct from any other organisation because of its volunteerism spirit, which is one of the fundamental principles of the movement,” Dr. Dlamini said.
Dr. Dlamini was dropping pearls of wisdom to the members and volunteers from the National Society’s regional branch committees who came from Nhlangano, Siteki, Manzini, Pigg’s Peak and Mbabane and a few volunteers and staff from the National Society headquarters and regional branches. Also in attendance was the Society’s National Executive Committee.
She narrated that when she first started working in 1974 as the appointed First Director of the Baphalali Eswatini Red Cross Society then, it was a branch of the British Red Cross and she was the only paid staff member in the organisation. All other personnel whom she worked with were volunteers, and together they worked tirelessly to advance the work of the Society.
“Working as a volunteer is a selfless work because you do not get paid for it, but you put in so much effort as if you were getting paid,” she continued to narrate. “When I did not have the skill but needed help, I approached individuals with the skills I needed to carry on the work. I worked with many communities and they all willingly worked with the Society to help their communities come out of vulnerability; and as such, I witnessed a lot of skills transfers among community members. Every skill is very important in the movement,” she explained.
Dlamini shared how she approached the late Dr. Sibusiso Dlamini to take care of the National Society’s books who did so entirely voluntarily, and the organisation’s books always remained clean. She said that many people, who are public figures today, have been volunteers in the organisation and that is what has helped to take the National Society forward. She then encouraged the National Society to carry on recruiting volunteers. “Many people are still willing to help out there,” she exclaimed.
Dr. Dlamini highly appreciated companies, individuals and organizations; both governmental and non-governmental, who have supported the Baphalali Eswatini Red Cross Society financially and in-kind. She emphasised that their help is what gives the organisation confidence to assist communities. She reported that some of these partnerships with companies, and other Red Cross National Societies have been long standing and that is highly honoured. She also made particular mention that the government has continually supported the National Society since its establishment. “There are also individuals who have committed themselves to donating to the Society and that is highly commendable and appreciated,” she added.
In the same spirit, Dlamini thanked the staff as well for giving themselves to the work of the Red Cross Movement, saying that to work for the Red Cross is understanding that you are, first and foremost, a volunteer because you will be called to do work that is outside your job description when the need arises. She also took the liberty to encourage the BERCS staff and all committee members to be the first to give to the National Society, because charity begins at home.
Dr. Thandi then congratulated the newly elected National Executive Committee together with the new branch committees and thanked them for their commitment to Baphalali Eswatini Red Cross Society. She particularly congratulated the president of the National Society, Dr. Bongani Masuku who also started off as a Red Cross volunteer while he was a teacher in one of the schools in Nhlangano, over a decade ago; for his recent appointment into the Red Cross movement’s global Education Committee in Geneva. Dlamini also commended the National Society members for electing a woman into the position of Vice President, Happy Gamedze; saying that it demonstrates that Baphalali believe in the role that women play in the humanitarian space as well as in the decisions that are made to help the vulnerable.
Dr. Dlamini then donated E5 000 to the National Society.
The Vice President, Miss Happy Gamedze, expressed the National Society’s gratitude to Dr. Thandi Dlamini’s constant commitment to the National Society and for the E5 000 donation.
“Your wisdom helps guide the Society and we are humbled that you consistently follow the work of the movement in country and continue to support us in every way possible. Thank you,” she said.
