‘Kid gloves’ approach needed for Sisters of Nazareth renovation

FEW ORGANISATIONS can claim that they have occupied their business premises for more than 130 years, but the Sisters of Nazareth in Vredehoek have done just that – and are still providing invaluable care to the needy.

Founded in London by Mother St Basil (Victoire Larmenier), at the request of Cardinal Wiseman in the mid 1800s to provide care for the aged and the poor, the Sisters of Nazareth found their way to South Africa in 1881 at the invitation of the Bishop of Cape Town. Their mission was to care for orphans and the elderly. Today more than 130 vulnerable patients, some as young as three days old, as well as terminally ill and HIV infected patients between the ages of one month and 18 years, are cared for by the Sisters at Nazareth House in Vredehoek.

Nazareth House recently commissioned painting, waterproofing and construction company, Indawo, to redecorate the exterior and interior of its main building and cottages. The project, besides the intricate details that need to be preserved, required great care in the execution of the redecorating work. As the building caters for the vulnerable, Indawo site staff are trained to ensure minimal disruption to the organisation’s routines.

“Nazareth House has certainly stood the test of time, and maintenance of a national monument building like this requires a delicate approach,” says Indawo group managing director, Geoffrey Jäck.

“Nazareth House has become a landmark in the area and an icon on the city skyline, largely due to the great care the organisation has taken in maintaining the building. This has kept the value of the property intact, and has preserved the heritage of the building, something that is vital to the city of Cape Town.”

Jäck says that when it comes to heritage buildings, detailed work comes into the spotlight. With the architec- tural designs at the turn of the last century, building façades included intricate patterns that provide significant value to overall aesthetics. These designs become brittle over time and can easily chip off, making restoration and redecoration an intricate job.

“Nazareth House provides a home in which the patients are able to live normal lives. Indawo understands the impact the required maintenance has on the day-to-day lives of the patients. Each worker strives to complete the projects with patient comfort foremost in their mind,” says Jäck.

Visit www.indawo.biz and www.nazhouse.org.za.

DELICATE TOUCH: Nazareth House is being redecorated.