Issued by Jeremy Hendricks (Chairman)

The TLC Hospice organization has been an integral part of the Greater Kokstad community for many years, having started in 2006 by a handful of motivated individuals who identified a great need for palliative healthcare in the community.
The spearhead of this activity was provided by Mrs. Theresa Olivier, a professional nurse who ably formalized the volunteer group into a registered non-profit organization with the help of religious- and corporate institutions, as well as many supporters from the Kokstad community as a whole. Even international organizations, particularly ‘Respond’ from Ireland–whom the-then Catholic Bishop William Slattery coaxed from his country of birth to invest monetarily and socially in Kokstad–assisted generously to get the non-profit off the ground. The locally formed organization by Respond was to be aptly named ‘Sivile,’ and, to this day has provided, and continues to provide, unwavering support to TLC and its initiatives.
In the early years, many board members were roped into the fledgling organization and saw to the growth and success of its programs. Amongst the many initiatives and programs that developed over time, besides solely providing palliative care, was i) health and safety training for private-sector entities and other hospice organizations ii) providing food parcels for patients in need iii) providing an after-school feeding programme for local children around the Hospice offices iv) providing a pick-up point for patients to access their government-issued medication closer to their place of residence v) serving as a home-base for a Department of Social Development, KZN Social Worker to provide much need counselling, advocacy and facilitation of access to appropriate services.
Although a large number of board members and supporters have come and gone, an important pillar of the organization was Mr. Ray Horrocks, a retired priest of the Anglican Church, who tirelessly worked in his private capacity to once again serve the community in the most judicious manner.
Unfortunately, the winds of change have swept over the non-profit, hospice sector across the province!
Where, in the past, many international and national donors were willing to provide grants for HIV/AIDS programs, in 2020 the focus shifted to COVID funding and has not returned to HIV/AIDS programs. Where funding was received from US AID on an annual basis that assisted with medication and administrative expenses, these grants stopped immediately once President Trump got back into office for the second time. Where once financial support was received from the National Lottery, the Department of Health, KZN, and other national donors, those funds have dried up to the point where TLC can no longer operate according to its current mission statement.
To this extent, TLC Hospice in Kokstad will close its doors at the end of May 2026, while seeking to transition in an orderly manner in the upcoming two months.
Please be heartened by the fact that the Community of Kokstad—individuals and organizations—have been the most steadfast supporters of our organization that one can find! It is through circumstances not of our making that difficult decisions have had to be made, and subsequently, would like to thank everybody, and I mean everybody, for their dedicated support of TLC through the years. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Lastly, I would like to thank the staff at TLC who put their heart and soul into ‘providing for others’ (one care-giver has been working for the organization as long as the organization has been running: 20 years). I would like to thank Mrs. Sue Theron who has been at the helm of the organization for a number of years and has provided dedicated leadership throughout her time. As well, I would like to thank my fellow board members Mrs. Beth Strachan and Mr. Richard Ingram, whom I have relied on for guidance and unwavering support throughout my tenure as Chairman. Mr. Soso Zembe and Mr. Themba Masela, board members, are mentioned with a sense of immense gratitude as well, for their time and support of the organizations mission.