Pics: Madiba’s dream realised

The construction of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital, which began less than two years ago, is heading for the finish line.

The specialist paediatric academic and tertiary hospital will treat children from across southern Africa who suffer from a spectrum of conditions, including cancer, heart problems and kidney failure.

To build the hospital, a budget of R1 billion was needed, of which R780 million has already been raised by the trust, which is headed by Madiba’s widow, Graça Machel.

It is the first of its kind to be built solely on the generosity of the world’s citizens: ordinary South Africans, global philanthropists, corporate institutions and even children themselves.

The R1 billion target includes the building, equipment, training, interior design and other capital costs. The hospital will be handed over to the trust next month, and will be officially opened in December.

Photographer Lucky Nxumalo visited the site

finishing touches A worker touches up an area before paint can be applied on the outside walls of the building

almost there A wide view of the hospital – the red building – shows how close it is to completion. It has been built in the leafy suburb of Parktown, Johannesburg

This is the nursing station in one of the Intensive Care Units of the hospital Pic: Lucky Nxumalo PHOTO:

state of the art Lebo Mashigo, the public relations consultant for the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital Trust, takes us on a tour of the new facilities

last but not least Workers install a ceiling in one of the hospital’s corridors (centre) and finish off the walls in a ward (left)

Signage for the hospital have already been mounted on the exterior of the hospital Pic: Lucky Nxumalo PHOTO: