Being blessed on my birthday by Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu

Friday, October 8, 2010

A few minutes after 7am this morning in the Saint George Cathedral my dear friend Desmond Tutu called upon me to congratulate me with my birthday.

He took his time to introduce me to the congregation and the many guests and shared with the them that I had only turned 22 years. (sorry Arch 62, born in 1948)

He started to tell who I was and what I was doing when he looked up and said, “Harold you can tell it much better, so please share with them what MKI is doing in South Africa.”

My gift was a copy of his latest book published together with his daughter Mpho Tutu with the following inscription:

“Harold, Happy Birthday, God bless you, Desmond Tutu, 8-10-2010, Cape Town”

I was accompanied by Johan Neppelenbroek, the well known Dutch Chef with one Michelin Star, in the process of opening a restaurant at Longridge Winery in Stellenbosch and Kirsty Hunt, MKI’s Executive Director for Southern Africa and her husband Ian.

Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu 79 years old

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Tonight I joined many personal friends of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu for his 79th birthday party on board the MV Explorer.
Many laughs, wonderful talks and great seeing the Arch so relaxed and enjoying himself.

Tomorrow night he and his darling wife Leah will be leaving Cape Town on this sailing university: Semester at Sea.

Semester at Sea was established in 1963 and over the last 47 years has sailed over 100 voyages and shown the world to more than 55,000 alumni who represent 93 countries.

What a wonderful, unforgettable evening.

Happy Birthday Arch

Pictures:
The Archbishop enjoying himself and spending some time with him.

Medical Knowledge Institute South Africa Trust

The deed for creating Medical Knowledge Institute South Africa Trust was been officially signed on Monday October 4th, 2010

From Left to Right:

John van Zyl, Chairman
Harold Robles
Rev. Desmond Lambrechts
Sitting Hannie Nutbey
Jelle Braaksma was missing

MKI, the Sandton Hotels and the making of a documentary, day 10

This will never be the same.

Deep rooted friendship was created on this trip.

MKI and the Sandton Hotels are “family” forever.

Many thanks to all of you who made this possible.

MKI, the Sandton Hotels and the making of a documentary, day 9

A documentary about MKI would not be complete without mentioning our dear partners Clover Mama Afrika.

So we visited two of our MKI Health Information Satellites in collaboration with Clover Mama Afrika and Jöell Berry joined us on behalf of Prof. Elaine Vlok.

I salute Mama Pumla and Mama Lumka, both located in the Western Cape.

MKI, the Sandton Hotels and the making of a documentary, day 8

A very special thank you to Fikiswa Seti, our trainer at the MKI Health Information Centre in Kayamandi.

I proudly dedicated this blog to Fikiswa and her dedication to MKI but most of all to the women of her township.

We are so proud of you dear Fikiswa.

MKI, the Sandton Hotels and the making of a documentary, day 7

For days they have been preparing because Desmond Tutu is coming to town.
Mama Rosie the head of Baphumelele has been nerves for days, for the first time in her life she would be sacking the hands of the man she adored and who she only had seen on television and in newspapers.

The children were lining up, while the powerful choir that sang in the Mandela musical was rehearsing.
In the middle of al of this I got a call from Mthunzi the dryer but also the son in law of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu that they had left the highway. We had 5 minutes to go.

More and more people had gathered and there he was.
After being introduced to the many that have been waiting we entered the MKI Health Information Centre for the graduation of two classes.
The former Archbishop enjoyed his visit and he insisted that all students who received their certificate would come to the front to meet with him.

After the official ceremony we all sang and enjoyed his company.
He thanks everyone and shared is unending support and love for the work of MKI. “God smiles when it looks at MKI”.

In the meantime outside the centre many children had gathered to sing and dance for their Archbishop and he joined them.
An unforgettable visit.

The next day I received the following email:
Dear Friend,
Thank you for your kind note. I was deeply touched by all I saw and must say I am impressed by all that you do.
God bless you and yours,
arch