Magdelene Jordaan was fondly known as Auntie Mac.
Tony Lawrence, chairperson of Retreat Steenberg Civic Association, and Roscoe Palm, secretary of Retreat Health Committee
The community mourns the passing of Magdelene Jordaan, fondly remembered as Auntie Mac.
In a heartfelt gathering, the community bid farewell to one of its pillars.
The sombre occasion saw friends, family, and community members come together to celebrate the life of a remarkable woman who dedicated herself tirelessly to the betterment of her community.
Her funeral was at the Retreat Congregational Church in 7th Avenue, on Saturday March 23.
Auntie Mac's journey of service began long ago during turbulent times at Heathfield High School. As a nurse, she fearlessly tended to injured students during school riots, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to the well-being of others.
Auntie Mac was a stalwart of the Retreat Day Hospital and was driven by compassion to ease the suffering of ordinary men and women. After her retirement as a healthcare professional, she became a member of the Retreat Health Committee. Her work there included creating community hubs to make the waiting times for elderly patients a lot shorter. As ever, she took primary healthcare to the people who needed it most.
At a memorial service, many reminisced about Auntie Mac's multifaceted role in the community. Not only was she a compassionate nurse, but she also emerged as a fervent activist and leader. Her clandestine efforts to aid demonstrators by patching them up from her own home underscored her dedication to effecting change, even in the face of adversity.
However, it was within the RSCA that Auntie Mac's impact truly flourished. She spearheaded numerous community projects, from providing assistance to vulnerable youth in Lavender Hill to organising feeding initiatives during the Covid-19 pandemic. Many of her colleagues and friends fondly recounted her resourcefulness during a crisis, such as the time when they urgently acquired a donation of spices, navigating lockdown restrictions to ensure essential supplies reached those in need.
A church-going woman of great faith until the end, she dutifully attended and was a leader in the Retreat Congregational Church in 7th Avenue.
As a member of the Retreat Steenberg Civic Association, Auntie Mac also formed a team to provide assistance to the victims of many fires which occurred in the area over the last three years.
Hundreds of victims received clothing, kitchen items, and in some instances, also furniture.
She also regularly cooked food and soup for creches ensuring the children had a nutritious meal. The wellness days she regularly organised, especially for the elderly, were extremely beneficial to so many community members who enjoyed the expert health advice as well as the free treatments that were provided.