RMB pays tribute to frontline medical heroes with Garden of Recovery

The main entrance of Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital has been given a facelift with the addition of a new garden outside the front door. The Garden of Recovery, sponsored by Rand Merchant Bank, has been landscaped and planted as a healing space for hospital staff, patients and visitors to reflect and recover.

“The garden was conceived as a tribute to all those unsung heroes across the country who are contributing to the ongoing fight against COVID-19. As we move into the future, this garden is a symbol of optimism and possibility for all of us,” says Jessica Spira, sector head: healthcare and hospitality at RMB.

The water-wise garden has been carefully thought through by landscaper Dawid Kloppers to feature hardy, indigenous/endemic plants that are able to thrive on Johannesburg’s rocky, dry Parktown ridge.

“We chose appropriate plants that command attention and give joy but don’t require much maintenance,” says Jessica. “In keeping with the fact that the garden is located at a place of healing, many of the plants are medicinal herbs with curative properties.”

One of the features of the garden is a hedge of spekboom that has been planted to spell out the word HEROES. Spekboom is something of a miracle plant, acting as a sponge that absorbs harmful carbon from the air. It is indigenous to South Africa, suitable for all seasons and weather conditions, and is easy to grow.

Hospital CEO, Gladys Bogoshi, says the facility is grateful to the frontline workers and the people of South Africa for their tenacity during the pandemic.

“On behalf of the staff and management of Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital we express our gratitude to the people of South Africa for the outpouring messages of support, donations, love and care they demonstrated during the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic,” she says. “Our frontline staff were encouraged to be the foot soldiers to save life while risking their own lives and those of their families.

“We salute every frontline worker and the leadership of the medical fraternity across the country.”

The Garden of Recovery is located in a public space and all are welcome to spend time there.