Once again the thousands of globes on the Tree of Light will light up the season of goodwill. Joburgers are urged to buy a globe to raise much-needed funds for Hospice.

The Tree of Light at the Joburg Zoo

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ITH 10 000 globes hanging on its branches, the Hospice Tree of Light will again be brightening up evenings at the Johannesburg Zoo, putting the spotlight on the goodwill of Joburgers.

And in the run-up to Christmas, the city's people are urged to buy the globes, which carry messages and dedications to loved ones.

Organised by Hospice Witwatersrand in partnership with Johannesburg Zoo and The Star newspaper, the Tree of Light initiative started 12 years ago as a fundraising project. Since then, it has been adopted nationally as a platform to send messages of goodwill, love, peace, hope and greetings to family and friends over the festive season.

"The event is in support of those who have lost their loved ones and those who are terminally ill and in care of Hospice," according to a press release from the zoo, home of the Tree of Light.

Globes cost R50 each, but companies are urged to pledge their support by sending dedications for R250.

"The proceeds from the globes will be used to provide sustainability to the Hospice's services to the terminally ill," says Desre Murray, the development manager at the Hospice Association of the Witwatersrand.

The lights will be switched on at a ceremony on Sunday, 25 November. Performing artists will include Vicky Sampson, Jacques Terblanche and the Soweto Gospel Choir. It will burn brightly at the zoo until Monday, 24 December.