Day three of CycAlive 2011
The CycAlive team visits the Newcastle Provincial Hospital
Majuba Mountain has great historical significance as it was the setting for the end of the Anglo Boer War. The Battle of Majuba took place on the mountain in 1881. It was declared a national monument in 1941 and is the location of several gravesites and memorials to this day.
“As we wind down the mountain passes, the glorious scenery and breathtaking fresh wind is refreshing,” reports Rabbi Dovid Hazdan from the sponsor bus.
He adds that despite the 25 to 30 minute delays along the route to Newcastle, the winter landscape made for a beautiful distraction.
The CycAlive team’s visit to Newcastle was of particular importance to them as they made their annual visit to the Newcastle Provincial Hospital children’s ward.
They have made a special stop at the hospital every year since 1998 when, on route, they learned of a tragic bus accident nearby and went to visit the injured.
The team is very fond of their visits to Newcastle. They like to follow up on how those same kids are doing today, as well as stop off at the children’s ward and cheer up its current patients.
The team brought along snacks and cool drinks, and even entertained the children with a song.
“The children were really happy to see us and it was great to have some smiling faces in the room,” says Rabbi Hazdan
The team’s journey today continues on to their Ladysmith destination, some 150km away from Volksrust.
