Brackenfell Christmas lights shine bright for people and animals alike

What began as a small, personal Christmas gesture in Brackenfell has grown into a heart-warming community tradition that brings joy not only to people, but to animals in need.

Rick van der Galien, who started the Christmas lights display outside his house at 16 Dennegeur Street in Brackenfell, said he started small with his partner in 2019.

"It was just for ourselves, my partner and I, we love Christmas. It's one of the best times of the year."

He said a mother from the community arrived one evening with her young son to admire the display. A photo was shared on Facebook, and almost overnight, the festive setup captured the attention of the wider community. What followed was unexpected.

People began queuing outside the property, eager to experience the display and asking how they could contribute. Many offered money to help cover electricity costs, but the couple had a different idea.

"We said no, we don't want money for electricity. Let's rather bring the animal shelters in," said Mr van der Galien.

That decision gave the Christmas display a deeper purpose. This year alone, donations are being collected for seven animal welfare organisations.

Grace Animal Sanctuary is a non-profit organisation that primarily cares for rescued dogs, and it is one of the charities benefiting from this fundraising initiative.

The founder, Caron Burger, said: "The initiative has quite literally rescued the rescuers for seven years in a row. Not only giving up their home and their own holiday times to provide a light spectacular for old and young, but staying in the field with us, the 24-hour-a-day and 365-days-a-year organisations, to secure much-needed funding to carry us through the leanest time of the year."

As the years passed, the display continued to grow. Reindeer figures now feature prominently. Rudolph leads from the top, joined by Vixen, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, and Comet, with hopes of completing the full set of Santa’s sleigh in the future.

While the initiative primarily supports animal shelters, it reaches beyond donations.

Saabirah Hendricks from Delft said she has been a regular visitor to the house during the festive season to embrace the lights since 2022, after learning about them on social media. 

"To come here was better than being in town. In town, you have to look after your kids. Here it's fine because my kids enjoy themselves. At least we are free. And because they are doing it for non-profit organisations, donating something to the shelter for animals is not a problem. They are more than family to us," she said.

On Wednesday, December 17, she came with her two children and five colleagues to join the large group of people who visited the house.

Mr van der Galien said the community members come to experience a moment of escape when they step inside.

“For a brief time, it breaks you away from whatever is happening outside the fence. It gives people a little break from reality. The smile on people's faces and the joy that the lights bring to everyone fill our hearts," he said. 

To stay informed about the Christmas lights at the property, you can follow the page on Facebook named Lighting up Lives R&P.

About five kilometres from 16 Dennegeur Street lies Gelb Crescent, also in Brackenfell, a street where more than 10 houses are lit up with festive lights.