Nelson Mandela Day
Still in Our Hands: The Healing Power of Faith and Service
A Mandela Day Tribute to Dr Moses Thindisa and Tumelo Home
“There can be no greater gift than that of giving one’s time and energy to help others without expecting anything in return.” – Nelson Mandela
On this Mandela Day, as the world echoes the call to action—“It’s still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity” SAMDP honours the extraordinary, quiet heroism of one of our very own – Dr Gwati Moses Thindisa, co-founder of Tumelo Home , who has been answering that call every day for nearly three decades.
Located in Ivory Park Ext 5 in Midrand, Tumelo Home, a sanctuary for children with mental and physical disabilities, was born from love, faith, and purpose. Founded in April 1996 by Dr Thindisa and his late wife, Mrs Orina Thindisa, the home provides residential and day care services for children with special needs – ensuring that every child receives daily care, nourishment, medical attention, and stimulation programs that empower them beyond their limitations.
Dr Gwati Moses Thindisa, a revered medical professional, theologian, pastor, and SAMDP Director, embodies Madiba’s legacy through a life of deep service. But perhaps his most tender and transformative contribution lies nestled in the heart of Ivory Park in Midrand, at a place of refuge, restoration, and radical love: Tumelo Home.
Tumelo: A Place Built on Faith
Founded in April 1996 by Dr Thindisa and his late wife, Mrs Orina Thindisa, Tumelo Home, a Sesotho word for Faith, is more than a care facility. It is a sanctuary for the most vulnerable: mentally and physically disabled children who have been abandoned, orphaned, abused, or born into poverty.
What began as a humble day-care centre has since grown into a 24-hour home of unconditional care, not by design but by heartbreak. Parents would leave children with false addresses, never to return. Tumelo Home chose not to turn them away. Instead, it opened its arms wider.
Today, Tumelo Home cares for 62 children with profound disabilities, housed across two facilities: the younger children, up to age 15, are based at the Ivory Park Centre, while those aged 16 and older reside at the President’s Park facility.
Approximately 70% of these children have no family to return to. Here, they are not only bathed, clothed, and fed — they are seen, valued, and loved. Through daily stimulation programmes, Tumelo Home restores dignity, builds confidence, and reminds each child that their life matters.
Where Medicine Meets Ministry
Dr Thindisa’s story is one of rare intersection. A doctor by training and a pastor by calling, he moves between hospital wards and prayer halls with the same mission: to heal. His MBChB from 1985 and his B. Theology from UNISA reflect a man who treats both body and soul.
Honoured with accolades like the Ekurhuleni Lifetime Achiever Award, the Lions International Fellow Award, and the Devoted Citizen Award by Prof. PLO Lumumba, Dr Thindisa continues to embody servant leadership in its purest form. His work at Tumelo Home is not a side project—it is the beating heart of his life’s purpose.
A Legacy of Love in Action
At Tumelo, each child is a living testimony of what happens when compassion overcomes convenience. When asked what keeps him going, Dr Thindisa does not point to titles or awards. He speaks of faith, of calling, and of duty. His service is rooted in the belief that healing is more than medicine—it is presence, patience, and persistence.
As a SAMDP Executive, he brings the same values into the profession: integrity, loyalty, and justice. He is a steadfast presence in outreach initiatives, recruitment drives, and ground-level medical work, including partnerships with SASSA and other bodies. He remains an anchor in SAMDP’s journey to advocate for ethical, accessible, and people-centred healthcare.
Mandela Day 2025: It’s Still in Our Hands
This year, we are reminded that the fight against poverty and inequity is far from over. But people like Dr Thindisa show us that it is still in our hands to make a difference—one act of love, one life, one home at a time.
As we celebrate Nelson Mandela Day 2025, SAMDP calls on every member and every citizen to follow this example:
- Volunteer your time.
- Offer your skills.
- Speak for the voiceless.
- Open your heart to those who have been forgotten.
Because when we serve the most vulnerable, we serve humanity.
How You Can Help
- Donate: Support Tumelo Home’s mission to care for disabled and abandoned children.
- Volunteer: Dedicate your 67 minutes to help at the home or raise awareness.
- Share: Tell the story of Tumelo Home and help others discover this light in the community.
“Faith is not simply holding on to what you believe. Sometimes, it’s holding someone else until they can believe again.”
– Inspired by the legacy of Tumelo Home
