A Royal Goodbye: Mrs Sigijimi Heads Home After Months of Care

Photo Credit: Tygerberg Hospice

After months of wound care and rehabilitation, the 73-year-old was celebrated with a guard of honour as she returned home to her daughter.

Cape Town, South Africa (05 October 2026) – There are some goodbyes that deserve a standing ovation and Mrs Sigijimi got exactly that.

After months of care at Tygerberg Hospice Transitional Care, the 73-year-old was finally ready to return home to her daughter, and the hospice team made sure she didn’t leave quietly.

Instead, Mrs Sigijimi was sent off with a guard of honour, plenty of applause and, of course, a royal wave.

Her journey began on 10 April 2026, when she was admitted to the facility following severe hot-water burns that affected large areas of her abdomen, arm and breast.

What followed was a long road of wound care, rehabilitation and recovery, supported by the hospice’s multidisciplinary team.

Staff worked alongside the wound care team to manage her injuries, support her healing and help her reach a point where she could safely continue her care at home.

And then came the moment everyone had been working towards. Mrs Sigijimi was ready to go home.

Surrounded by the people who had cared for her throughout her stay, she made her exit with her head held high.

The applause and guard of honour were more than just a farewell. They were a celebration of how far she had come.

For the hospice team, saying goodbye was understandably bittersweet. They were sad to see her leave, but even happier knowing she was heading home to her daughter and the comfort of her family.

Her story is a reminder that recovery can look different for everyone, and that sometimes the biggest milestone is simply being able to take the next step towards home.

See the full video here.