The Mercury Hibberdene Children’s Holiday Home nestled on an unspoilt stretch of Kwazulu Natal South Coast just an hour’s drive from Durban, provides a quiet retreat for underprivileged children.

Built in 1932 the Mercury Hibberdene Children’s Holiday Home served as a hospital during World War II.

Its history dates back to the depression years to 1921 when children of unemployed families were brought to this stretch of the coast for a holiday.   The home was built with the support of Mrs T Watson, wife of the then Administrator of Natal and was officially opened on March 31, 1935.

Since its doors were first opened to give underprivileged children much needed holiday breaks at the beach, the home has been funded through donations, street collections and fund raising projects.   Since the mid-nineties a major portion of the home’s income has also been generated by renting it to guests such as school, church and sports groups, when it is not occupied during holidays by the underprivileged children for whom it was built.

In 1988 Hibbhome was opened to children of all races and the underprivileged who could not afford to contribute anything were able to enjoy the benefits of a seaside holiday.  Children would travel from Durban by train to the Home which had its own halt on the property.

However, by 1995 the Home had run into a sad state of disrepair, after not receiving proper maintenance for some 35 years.  By then the Home had also fallen into a desperate situation financially as the depressed economy had affected the ability of the public to offer assistance.  The Home embarked on a mission to become as self-sufficient as possible through renting out the property to groups to generate income.

In 1995 a massive appeal went out from the chairman of the home’s management board, Bill Sutherland, who asked the public to assist the home with donations in cash and kind.   Small renovations were undertaken but the home remained sadly in need of repair until the current on-going project began in November 2007.

Today the Home, though old by modern standards, stands proud and tall with the assistance of a caring and involved Board of Directors, the brilliant management abilities of Bev Marais as well as generous contributions from numerous organisations and individuals.

Should you be in possession of more photos or articles of the Home’s blessed past you are more than welcome to submit them by contacting us.

Hibbhome Board of Directors and Home Manageress - Bev Marais

Time Line Facts:

1956 to 1966

The Home was managed by Mr and Mrs R Wells, affectionately known to all as Uncle Reg and Auntie Madge, and had the privilege of celebrating the Home’s 30th birthday.

1962

Ivan Southwood was the Secretary/Treasurer of the Home for nine years and it was through his zeal that the swimming pool was built.  The change rooms, showers etc were erected some years later and the Durban and district Bowling Association appealed to all clubs to subscribe towards the cost of the building and carry a plaque to commemorate the name of Ivan Southwood for all time on behalf of the Bowlers of Natal.

1966

The Home celebrated its 30th birthday.

1971

This year was the first time the Children’s Seaside Holiday Society organised a trip to the Hibberdene Hostel.

1974

Jack and Cathy Marsden managed the Home.

1984

The Natal Mercury Children’s Holiday Home celebrated its Golden Jubilee.   Inclement weather conditions did not dampen the spirits of the large crowd who attended a fête held to celebrate the occasion and raise funds for the Home.

A highlight of the day was the opening ceremony, when the Mayor of Durban, Mrs Sybil Hotz gave a short history of the Home and told of some of her amusing experiences with children while she was canvassing for votes in the municipal elections.

It was a day to remember for Mrs Brenda Southwood who had devoted 37 years service to the Home and her services were recognised with the renaming of the Hall in her honour.

1988

In June 1988 the then chairman of the home Mr Arnold Getaz and his committee wrote that funds were scarce and a camp had to be cancelled.  They undertook a fund raiser to endeavour to raise the necessary funds to that the other camps could go ahead as planned.   It was estimated that at the current prices it would cost approximately R100.00 per child for a 10 day period.

The activities were organised everyday by young men and women who assisted in playing, supervising and caring for the children.  The young men and women came from colleges and some recommended by Principals of High Schools, and in turn were supervised by Mr and Mrs Glendon, the managers and House parents (1991).

Not only were the children entertained but were helped with social and spiritual needs.   Bible time was held each day and interesting lessons from the bible were taught in a very fun and casual way.

Seven camps a year are arranged and in the interim periods the home was used by the Department of Education and educational camps, the mentally handicapped etc.

This year was also the first time the Home was opened to children of all races.

1995

The home was in a sad state of disrepair after not receiving proper maintenance for about 35 years, mainly for financial reasons.   The home was in a desperate financial position because the depressed economy had affected the ability of the otherwise generous public to offer assistance.

It was then that the home embarked on a mission to become as self-sufficient as possible, through renting out the property to groups to generate income.

A massive appeal went out from the chairman of the Home’s management board, Bill Sutherland, who asked the public to help the home with donations in cash and kind.  In response individuals and Organisations came forward to help and renovations began.

2007

Twelve years later and more serious building renovations were needed.   An appeal was once again sent out saying nothing less than a major facelift would do to restore this grand old dame of the Kwazulu Natal coastline to her former glory.

The Chairman of the Board, Phillida Ellis said that the new board was people who had joined because they believed in what the Home does.  The board were concerned that the home’s state of disrepair was thwarting its main source of income (paying guests)that made the blessing of free holidays by the sea for underprivileged children possible for the past 72 years.

A massive appeal to people on different levels was sent out.   To people who could donate money and to people who had construction companies who could donate in kind and in terms of their expertise.  The biggest need was the external and internal repainting of the building, the swimming pool was leaking and only one pump was working, bedding and linen, donations of food.

2008

The home underwent its biggest refurbishment of its 86 year history thanks to generous donations worth R2 million from the Mercury readers and the local business community.

The Home started to regain it’s sparkle and former glory.