Village Manager, Jill Blignaut, may be new to Evergreen Diep River, but she has a long history with Evergreen, having joined the team as a sales agent in 2010 ahead of the launch of Evergreen Broadacres – she later went on to manage the village, spending five very happy years at Broadacres. After moving to the Cape in 2015, Jill joined the Cape Peninsula Organisation for the Aged (CPOA), before returning to Evergreen in 2018 to manage our Diep River village. We caught up with her recently to find out what she enjoys most about her work, what inspires her, and who she admires most.

1. What does your average day look like?

Every day is different. Our village is resident driven, so it’s important that we balance running the business with caring for our residents and making their needs our top priority. With many of our residents’ children living overseas, we need to step in and assist wherever they need help. A little bit of kindness really goes a long way.

2. What do you enjoy most about your work?

I love working with people and the elderly have so much wisdom to share. Each day is a learning experience.

3. What are some of the things that you feel make Evergreen Diep River special or unique?

Evergreen Diep River is a small village that offers residents the best of both worlds –well-appointed apartments where they can relax on their own, and wonderful facilities where they can socialise. Our close-knit community is very supportive of one another and the residents enjoy socialising regularly.

4. What makes you feel inspired?

Helping people and improving their life experience has always inspired me.

5. Do you have a favourite quote or mantra that you live by?

“I feel the capacity to care is the thing which gives life its deepest significance.” –
Pablo Casals

6. When you’re not managing Evergreen Diep River, you’re…?

Relaxing in the beautiful surroundings of Gordon’s Bay.

7. What’s the greatest life lesson you’ve learnt?

It’s not the cards we’re dealt in life that matters, it’s the way we choose to play them.

8. What’s something that Evergreen residents might not know about you?

I have two adult sons who live in Gauteng and are my pride and joy.

9. What are some of your favourite spots in Diep River?

Martins Bakery, Cape Town Fish Market and the parks in Kirstenhof.

10. Who do you admire most and why?

Desmond Tutu because he has so much wisdom to share: “Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”