Ronald McDonald House South Africa, an independent non-profit organisation supporting families with sick or injured children, held a soil-turning ceremony to mark the expansion of the Mother’s Lodge at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, as part of the global “Family Stays” campaign.
As Africa’s largest hospital, Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital treats approximately 60,000 maternity patients annually. Many mothers travel long distances to remain close to their babies receiving critical neonatal care, often facing financial and emotional hardship.
Since 2024, the Mother’s Lodge has supported 2,560 mothers, while the Ronald McDonald Family Room has served more than 45,000 mothers since 2014. Scheduled to open in 2027, the nearly R20 million development will increase accommodation capacity from 15 bedrooms accommodating 30 mothers to 36 bedrooms accommodating 72 mothers.
Matshepo Msibi, CEO of Ronald McDonald House South Africa, said, “When a child is seriously ill, being close to family matters. No mother should have to worry about where she will sleep and what she will eat while her baby is receiving care. This new lodge is about more than providing beds. It is about giving mothers comfort, dignity and peace of mind during an incredibly difficult time.”
“Through our work at Baragwanath Hospital and Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital, we have seen the difference that family-centred care makes. With the support of our partners and communities, we want to reach even more families across South Africa. We want to restore dignity to communities that are already experiencing hardship. The new three-storey lodge will offer en-suite bathrooms, communal dining and kitchen facilities, laundry services, Wi-Fi and psychosocial support.”
Dr Nthabiseng Makgana, CEO of Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, said, “At Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, we see every day how important a mother’s presence is to the care and recovery of her child. For many families, travel costs and the need for accommodation make an already difficult time even harder.”
“The expansion of the Mother’s Lodge is a welcome investment in our patients and the communities we serve. Through our partnership with Ronald McDonald House South Africa, more mothers will be able to stay close to their babies and receive the comfort and support they need.”
Help build hope, brick by brick
Although the project receives financial support from Ronald McDonald House Global and its South African chapter, a further R3 million is required to complete construction. The organisation is calling on corporate South Africa, foundations, communities and individuals to contribute towards completing the lodge.
Globally, more than 94% of leading hospital partners agree that Ronald McDonald House reduces stress and financial pressure on families. With demand for House and Family Room programmes projected to reach two million families annually by 2034, the organisation aims to double the number of families served by 2030.
