Our Story
OUR HISTORY
A Legacy of Care, A Future of Hope
In 1977 a young nursing sister, Margaret Lebish, came to South Africa as a development officer. She insisted on a clause in her contract which permitted her to access the need in Johannesburg for a terminal care service. Her successor, Arend Hoogervorst, continued her efforts and, in March 1979, the Hospice Association of Witwatersrand was founded. Utilising volunteer Doctors and nurses and working closely with the Home Care Advisory Service of the Southern Transvaal Branch of the National Cancer Association, a programme of hospice care was launched in Johannesburg.
1979
1979
Hospice Association of Witwatersrand
1984
Houghton Hospice
1988
Expansion to Soweto
1990
Thrift Shops
2024 -
Greendale House
1984
Among the early pioneers of the Hospice Association of the Witwatersrand were Stan and Shirley Henen. Stan and Shirley Henen became actively involved with the hospice concept in 1979 and began training caregivers and started operations from their home in Hurlingham, Sandton. Stan was a qualified pharmacist and also worked as an insurance consultant. The Henen’s and a few loyal and enthusiastic volunteers began ‘marketing’ the hospice, so much so that by 1984 the first property in Houghton was purchased, and a 6-bed unit built with a hospice pharmacy.
1979
Hospice Association of Witwatersrand
1984
Houghton Hospice
1988
Expansion to Soweto
1990
Thrift Shops
2024 -
Greendale House
In June 1988, our first facility in Soweto was opened on the grounds of the Mofolo Clinic, with patients being cared for in donated containers. As the need for our services grew with the HIV/Aids pandemic sweeping through, we opened a purpose-built in-patient unit in Diepkloof in March 2007.
1988
1979
Hospice Association of Witwatersrand
1984
Houghton Hospice
1988
Expansion to Soweto
1990
Thrift Shops
2024 -
Greendale House
1990
In the 1990s we opened our first thrift stores as part of our extensive fundraising campaigns. As the need for hospice and palliative care continues to rise in the greater Johannesburg area, we introduced multiple iconic annual fundraising campaigns, including Tree of Light, Night with the Stars, our annual Book Fair, and loads more.
1979
Hospice Association of Witwatersrand
1984
Houghton Hospice
1988
Expansion to Soweto
1990
Thrift Shops
2024 -
Greendale House
2024-
To keep up with the growth in palliative care, and the ever-changing landscape and needs of our patients, in 2024 we rebranded to Greendale House Palliative & Hospice Care. Today we have more than 85 full-time staff, including doctors, nurses, social workers, psychologists and volunteer counsellors, caring for and supporting patients with a life-threatening illness.
1979
Hospice Association of Witwatersrand
1984
Houghton Hospice
1988
Expansion to Soweto
1990
Thrift Shops
2024-
Greendale House
Compassionate Support When It Matters Most
Get in touch if you or anyone you know is in need of palliative or hospice care.
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