Actress Xolile Tshabalala launches new paediatric clinic building project at her 'home' Bara

"Bara is my home. Not only is this an iconic hospital‚ it's my home."

These are the words of actress Xolile Tshabalala‚ known for her role in soapie Generations‚ at the launch of a new initiative that will see R28 million invested in building a state-of-the-art paediatric surgery outpatient clinic at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital in Soweto.

The project was launched on Thursday with investors‚ pharmaceutical and healthcare giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and local non-profit organisation Surgeons for Little Lives.

Speaking at the event‚ Tshabalala said she had been treated at the hospital as a child by passionate staff.

When she had a miscarriage‚ she opted for treatment at the hospital affectionately known as Bara.

"My miscarriage happened in Berlin. When I flew home I was supposed to be treated at another private facility but chose to come here.

"[Upon arriving for treatment] the doctor took my hand and said, "Ma Tshabalala‚ you're going to be okay."

Tshabalala said she was excited that the new facility would allow parents to stay over while their children are being treated.

The new clinic is the first public facility in South Africa that will accommodate parents for sleepovers.

The two-story clinic will cater for children up to the age of ten. It will be able to treat 2‚000 outpatients and 300 inpatients monthly.