McDonald’s South Africa and Ronald McDonald House South Africa have marked a significant milestone in their shared commitment to keeping families close during a child’s medical journey, with a soil-turning ceremony signalling the next step towards the planned Ronald McDonald House Mother’s Lodge at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital.
The proposed Family Lodge aims to address a practical challenge faced by families of hospitalised children, access to safe, supportive accommodation close to the hospital. For families travelling long distances, the cost of transport and the demands of daily hospital visits can compound an already difficult experience. The Lodge is intended to ease these pressures, enabling parents and caregivers to remain close to their children while they receive medical care.
“Every family deserves the opportunity to stay close to their sick child during the most difficult moments of their lives. The Mother’s Lodge at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital is an important step towards making that possible. Through strong partnerships and collective commitment, we can ease the burden on families, restore dignity and ensure that no parent has to face their child’s medical journey alone,” says Matshepo Msibi, CEO of Ronald McDonald House South Africa.
The need for accessible support is underscored by research published in the Journal of Transport and Supply Chain Management, which highlights the financial pressure transport places on South African households. The research reports that households spend an average of 16% of their total expenditure on transport, while transport costs account for approximately 29% of per capita household income in Gauteng, rising to between 40% and 50% in peripheral townships.
The milestone coincides with Ronald McDonald House Charities South Africa’s introduction of its new brand identity, Ronald McDonald House South Africa. While the organisation’s identity evolves, its purpose remains unchanged, keeping families close when they need it most.
As RMH South Africa’s founding and forever partner, McDonald’s South Africa continues to support this mission through a long-standing commitment to family wellbeing and community impact. At Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, the Ronald McDonald House Family Rooms has supported 48,318 mothers by providing a welcoming space to rest, recharge and remain close to their children during treatment. Meals and refreshments further help ease the practical pressures families face.
The planned Mother’s Lodge will build on this established support by offering accommodation inside the hospital grounds, helping families reduce daily travel demands and spend more time with their children.
“At McDonald’s South Africa, we believe our responsibility extends beyond our restaurants. As Ronald McDonald House South Africa’s founding and forever partner, we are proud to support a mission that makes a tangible difference in the lives of families. The Mother’s Lodge represents what can be achieved when businesses, communities and partners work together around a shared purpose,” says Max Oliva, Chief Executive Officer of McDonald’s South Africa.
Following the soil-turning ceremony, the project is targeting completion by March 2027. Reaching this milestone will require continued investment and collaboration across the private sector, civit society, businesses, individuals and communities.
The Buy-a-Brick fundraising initiative offers South Africans a tangible way to contribute to the project. Corporate partners and members of the public are encouraged to support the initiative, share its message and help mobilise the resources needed to bring the Mother’s Lodge to completion.
The project reflects the impact that can be achieved when partners unite around a shared purpose. Beyond the construction of a facility, the ambition is to create a place where families can find practical support, comfort and dignity while remaining close to their children during some of life’s most challenging moments.
