More than R1,1 million has been raised through U-turn Homeless Ministries’ bold campaign, “A Night on the Streets,” where Captonians were challenged to give up the comfort of their beds to stand in solidarity with those who don’t have one
On Saturday night 17 May, 30 participants, including staff and clients from BMW Constantia, Carbonardo Energy, Ebet, U-turn board members, and supporters, braved the winter chill outside BMW in Claremont in a public sleep-out to raise awareness and funds for long-term solutions to homelessness
According to U-turn’s communica-
tions manager Stephen Underwood, donations are still being processed, but the total had already reached R1,155,000 on the night “It’s safe to say more than R1 1 million was raised,” he confirmed Participants also included over 100 individuals and groups who hosted their own ‘virtual’ sleep-outs in homes, churchyards, and schools around the country
Sleeping bags were sponsored by an upcycling project called SEE, and the event was supported by U-turn
p lasting impression
“We were moved when Alex Swartz shared his journey,” said Underwood “Just last year, he was living at the Claremont Service Centre Now, he’s in transitional housing, nearly two years sober, studying to complete his Matric, and he recently ran the Two Oceans Marathon ”
Another powerful testimony came from Gideon Post, a U-turn graduate who once participated as a Champion and now returned as a delegate He is successfully running a bee pollination business from a farm in Malmesbury , a living example of the long-term transformation possible with the right support
Colleen Lewis - Founder and former director of U-turn and was participating in 2025 night on the streets event
Collaboration required
NAMHLAMONAKALI
On World Asthma Day health experts and global organisations are calling for urgent action to make asthma treatment accessible to all
With over 250 million people living with asthma globally, the spotlight is on the lack of access to affordable, quality-assured inhaled medicines – a problem that continues to cost lives despite decades of clinical evidence supporting their effectiveness
The Global Asthma Network (GAN) marked the day with the launch of the Global Asthma Report, patient stories, a collection of first-hand accounts revealing the daily struggles of people living with asthma
The report highlights the benefits of timely diagnosis and treatment while underscoring the tragic consequences of systemic delays and medicine shortages
“By prioritising equitable access to medicines and strengthening primary healthcare systems, countries can not only meet global NCD targets but also enjoy significant economic and social returns,” said José Luis Castro, the World Health Organisation’s Director General’s Special Envoy for Chronic Respiratory Diseases
Locally, City Health reported that between May last year and April this year, its clinics issued 8 912 inhalers for acute care and 34 431 for chronic asthma treatment Despite these efforts, incorrect inhaler use remains one of the most common challenges
“We are heading into winter, when asthma symptoms typically worsen, so now is the time to make sure that you are protected,” said Francine Higham, Mayco member for community services and health She added that both adults and children often misuse inhalers, compromising their treatment outcomes
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has included asthma inhalers in its Model List of Essential Medicines and is working through
CLINICS ISSUED 8 912
INHALERS FOR ACUTE CARE AND 34 431 FOR CHRONIC ASTHMA TREATMENT
the Global Alliance against Chronic Respiratory Diseases alongside partners such as GAN, the Forum of International Respiratory Societies, and the Global Initiative for Asthma to strengthen country-level policies
The Forum of International Respiratory Societies has also launched a campaign urging global leaders to invest in solutions that ensure
access to inhaled treatments for all Dr Sarah Rylance, WHO’s technical lead for chronic respiratory diseases, stressed the importance of collaboration “Together, we are amplifying critical evidence-based messages and driving progress to ensure that every person with asthma, no matter where they live, can breathe freely,” she said
As asthma remains the most common chronic illness among children in South Africa, health authorities continue to encourage the public to seek medical guidance, avoid sharing inhalers and follow proper inhaler techniques
The WHO is currently updating global asthma treatment guidelines to support governments in strengthening their response
Finding‘faith’whenapathystartstostrike
narratives as the norm
As journalists, and my fellow colleagues can attest to this, we are swarmed with often-harrowing and -disturbing information
Whether it is murders or sexual assault cases, we are tasked with digging deeper, speaking to the victims of abuse or the family members still grieving for their loved ones
It’s our moral obligation to remain professional and neutral in our reporting and detach ourselves from becoming emotionally involved when covering these stories
However, we cannot remain numb and passive amid the alarming statistics of crime, gender-based violence (GBV) and gang crossfire killings plaguing our communities
So many of us “doom-scroll” the nights away, absorbing so much traumatic news our eyes start to glaze, glossing over so much violence that we start to see it as “content” and start accepting these
We’re overstimulated and it’s so easy to become cynical about our society and powerless about the injustice we see, and the more we binge these bite-sized reels the more our algorithm curates our feed to keep us glued to the screen
A recent story I covered that shook me was the tragic death of Emaan Solomons (7)
Solomons was killed while playing outside her Ocean View in 2020 Her killers were sentenced recently at the Western Cape High Court
Although her death happened five years ago, my recent conversation with her father and his words still hit home: “Even if the killers were given 100 years it could never bring my daughter back,” words that still haunt me
Also etched in my mind are Emaan’s family in court holding her picture aloft, showing her innocent smile, now a painful reminder of a precious life stolen far too soon
Such stories, some may argue, should remind us how grateful we should be for the well-being of the friends and family we still have
around us, and yet it’s a trigger for young parents, especially those in the Ocean View community
One glimmer of light among my stories is one that highlights an act of kindness that we hardly witness these days
It is the story of a young Muizenberg scout, Faith Morris (10), who was raising money for children with life-threatening illnesses by selling handcrafted bracelets and slime jars she created
Over several months, she surpassed her fundraising goal and raised R1 700, which she donated a few weeks ago towards Paedspal, a Cape Town-based paediatric palliative-care service
According to her mother, she accomplished this despite enduring a slew of chronic health conditions
The fact that this young girl spent her days crafting and donating these items for these sick children warmed my heart in the wake of covering a separate devastating story
Despite the grim and dark reality that covers us, Faith’s story encouraged me to be a more active citizen in rebuilding and enriching the lives of those less fortunate,
who would leap at the chance of having the health that we take for granted
My late mother was a proud nurse who served Tygerberg Hospital for 30 years, and I recall many mornings after working another night shift when she would tell me stories of the sick children who delighted in playing with some second-hand toys, their action figures missing an arm or a leg, and still they were overjoyed within those cold and sterile hospital walls that often fill me with dread and melancholy
It’s a timeless message we all forget in our ambitious pursuits of greater wealth and job security, especially when young people, can feel unattractive and worthless when comparing themselves with lavish lifestyles and accounts who have many followers on social media
In light of this, Faith’s fundraiser became the crucial wake-up call I needed before falling too deeply into apathy
In this age of content where so many comment and watch, we can contribute with acts of kindness and lead a positive ripple-effect
long-term effects on their educational attainment ” “Centres that can’t afford the water and sanitation improvements needed for registration are locked out of the very funding that could help them upgrade,” Zelezniak said “Instead, they rely on rainwater tanks, boreholes, or public taps ” “No child should fall sick or die simply because there was no water to wash their hands, she concluded
Urgent call for universal access to inhaled treatments PHOTO: PEXELS
KEANAN HARMSE
FROMPAGE1
“One person can make a difference,” said U-turn founder Colleen Lewis in her keynote address
“But partnering with NGOs who have experience in this space ensures we make an impact that lasts ”
The funds raised will directly support the operations of U-turn’s Claremont Homeless Service Centre, which provides warm beds, dignified ablutions, and secure storage at night Daytime services include meals, clothing, therapy, substance abuse recovery, life-skills training, and work-readiness , all designed to
help individuals move from survival to longterm stability
“The Safe Space Accommodation allows our clients to break free of short-term survival mode,” said Underwood “It helps them focus on behavioural change and long-term reintegration into employment and independence ”
As winter tightens its grip, “A Night on the Streets” reminded many South Africans that homelessness is not a choice , but offering hope can be To learn more or contribute, visit www homeless org za/night-out
Reflecting on family lineage
NAMHLAMONAKALI
Renowned astronomer Sarah Buchner, best known for her groundbreaking work on pulsars at Cape Town’s MeerKAT radio telescope, recently turned her lens from deep space to deep roots in a heartfelt presentation to the Western Cape Genealogical Society
The keynote speaker at the event, held on Saturday 17 May at St John’s Church hall in Wynberg, she offered a deeply personal reflection on her family lineage, sharing stories that shaped her identity
Though her scientific work focuses on some of the universe’s most mysterious remnants, pulsars, Buchner captivated the audience with tales from her ancestral past, particularly that of “Granny Loog” (Johanna Looch), the family matriarch who famously rode on horseback from the Cape to Bedford in the Eastern Cape in the early 1800s
“There’s something humbling about discovering that I now live just a few hundred metres from a farm once owned by an ancestor 350 years ago, ” she said, happily drawing parallels between her astronomical and genealogical pursuits
Buchner shared stories tied to family names such as Reilly, Gibson, Otto, Hurworth, Glass and Gunn, weaving coincidence, romance and resilience into a narrative that underscores the fundamental interconnectedness of past and present
Her unique blend of scientific insight and storytelling prowess was warmly received, with organisers praising her ability to “bring geneal-
BUCHNER SEES PARALLELS BETWEEN ASTRONOMY AND GENEALOGY.
ogy alive in ways we don’t often see ” Buchner’s presentation left a lasting impression, reminding those attending that both stars and stories can illuminate the path to understanding who we are
Sarah Buchner.
Colleen Lewis - Founder and former director of U-turn and was participating in 2025 night on the streets event
Satellite class opened
KEANANHARMSE
The learners at Harmony Primary School can look forward to practising yoga and going on educational excursions after they celebrated their satellite classroom which was launched at their school field on Wednesday 14 May. The new classroom was sponsored through a partnership between the Earthchild Project and the Yope Foundation, according to marketer Mandy Abrahams.
She said: "With ongoing attention on the safety of children in communities such as Lavender Hill, Grassy Park, Retreat and Steenberg, where daily headlines speak of trauma, violence and educational disruption, the question of how to protect and support learners remains at the forefront
"During Child Protection Month (May), we decided to mark the opening of a new classroom at Harmony Primary School This initiative responds to the realities children face in under-resourced communities across the Cape Flats, where resilience is tested and where structured, positive spaces are often limited " Earthchild Project is a non-profit organisation (NPO) based in the Western Cape It was established in 2007 to support and educate children from disadvantaged communities through holistic education programmes, focusing on environmental education and health School principal Eunice Manasse expressed her heartfelt thanks to the sponsors "It gives me immense pleasure to celebrate this new beautiful place that will enrich the education our learners receive in this new environment "
Founder of Earthchild project Janna Kretzmar said it was a dream come true seeing the classroom complete
"For many years we ran our programmes in
the school classrooms, which was very limiting as its very difficult to teach a yoga class in a room full of desks Then in 2019 we set a goal that all eight of our schools we support would have a yoga class to run our programmes We also hope to build an organic garden at the school where the school can plant and manage their own crops someday "
Harmony Primary School's satellite classroom completed its construction at the end of last year, according to Kretzmar
This is the seventh school that Earthchild has assisted with satellite classrooms
Yoga facilitator and previous alumni, Jadene van Neel, started her journey with Earthchild at the age of 10 years at Zerilda Park Primary School in Seawinds
She feels thrilled to mentor and educate the new generation of learners
"I started in Grade 4 and continued with their programme until I was in Grade 7 Once I matriculated I applied for Earthchild's alumni program and started an internship and fortunately got a position as a yoga facilitator Previously I've taught lessons at Hillwood and Levana Primary and now I've moved to Harmony and Prince George Primary "
She teaches learners from Grade R to Grade 6 Andreas Loy, co-founder of the Yope Foundation, said he was honoured to assist with empowering and educating disadvantaged communities
Yope was founded in 2013 by Michael Baum, according to the group ' s website
"We strive to support young innovators and the classroom that we ' re sponsoring is a grassroots project for the next generation of leaders, who will hopefully grow into entrepreneurs and impactful society members," Abrahams said "With this launch learners at Harmony Primary School will now have access to the same tools that support children in thriving learning environments "
Kretzmar said Earthchild and Yope planned on installing another satellite classroom at Prince George Primary School in the near future
‘Deepsouth’hasottersculpture
An artist from Kommetjie hopes his sculpture of a Cape clawless otter reminds the public about the beauty of nature and our responsibility to protect our environments so that these ecosystems thrive
Chip Snaddon unveiled the handmade wooden sculpture of a Cape clawless otter at the Lower Silvermine Wetlands on Friday 9 May where over 50 community members attended People’s Post caught up with him in Kommetjie, where he has lived since 2006, and he told of the inspiration behind his creation
The KwaZulu-Natal-born artist said he was inspired to construct the approximately 3,2 m-long, 1,2 m-high and 600 mm-wide otter
“due to my love for wild animals and the otters I often see here in Kommetjie I wanted to share the wonder these wild creatures bring me and that we should remember we share a space with these animals ”
He built the sculpture from an inner skeleton of tree branches wired together It took him more than a month to complete the artwork, which is intricately crafted from rooikrans twigs
“It was challenging getting the scale and proportions correct, referring as I did to photographs and videos, aside from my own observations of otters in the wild
“My main goal was to capture the look of an otter emerging from the water and roaming in the wetlands ” Over the past few weeks, said Snaddon, he has heard nothing but praise from visitors
“I’ve had lovely interactions with members of the public, many of whom witnessed the sculpture’s development, some even offering some constructive criticism
“My hope is that it gives people joy and re-
minds us that we should look after our natural resources ” Ward 65 councillor Izabel Sherry, who attended the sculpture’s unveiling, said: “The otter is warning you that this is his home here as a guardian of the wetlands ” She also recognised Kim
for her
south” “It is also great to have the presence of Terry and Evanne Rothwell, so instrumental in the past custodianship of the
as well as Daan
and Enoch
who actively assist with litter management and alien clearing in the area Just this afternoon a young otter was seen in the wetlands, near the coffer dam ”
Kruyshaar
decades-long environmental activism in the “far
wetlands
Jacobs,
Moyana,
The guests who attended the unveiling of a sculpture of a Cape clawless otter Otter at the Lower Silvermine Wetlands on Friday May 9
Harmony Primary School Grade 2 learners Khai Fisher and Navaeh Sylvester partneredup during the group activities.
Nomfundo pushing SA jazz boundaries
NAMHLAMONAKALI
Jazz vocalist, composer and UCT lecturer Nomfundo Xaluva-Dyantyis said her path into jazz wasn’t planned; it evolved
Reflecting on her journey from classical piano prodigy to respected jazz figure on and off the stage, she said: “It took about two to three years before I really started liking jazz It was an acquired taste, but I immersed myself in the tradition, the artistry, and I fell in love ”
Xaluva-Dyantyis began learning classical piano at age 12 and continued throughout high school
Her foundation was formal and structured, with exams focused on both piano and voice “I was a classical-music learner right up to Grade 11 and 12, when something shifted ”
That period coincided with the advent of contemporary South African jazz icons such as Judith Sephuma, Jimmy Dludlu and Musa Manzini,
who were emerging from UCT, and their influence was impossible to ignore
“It was so appealing to me musically,” Xaluva-Dyantyis said “We were exposed to jazz standards in our school-choir training and it planted a seed ”
In 2001, she enrolled at UCT to study music, not yet knowing she would lean into jazz more fully “I just knew I wanted to study music at university,” she said By 2003 she was fully immersed in the jazz programme “It took time, but once it caught me it just didn’t let go ”
The influence of South African legends such as Miriam Makeba and Sibongile Khumalo, both mentors and muses to her, deepened her connection to the music and gave her a sense of artistic lineage “They were everything, style, grace, depth I studied them, listened to them and shaped myself through them ”
But being on stage wasn’t the only dream “I never bought into the idea
FOR HER,LECTURER AND PERFORMER ARE ONE .HER ART IS HER STRENGTH.
of balance,” Xaluva-Dyantyis pointed out “I believe it’s an elusive one I always envisaged having a career in which I could branch out, where performance and education co-existed ” Well, that vision has been realised Today, Xaluva-Dyantyis lectures at UCT full-time, performs nationally and has three albums under her belt She proudly identifies as a practice-based researcher “A lecturer and performer are not two separate things for me My art is my research ” Her return to the Cape Town International Jazz Festival stage this year was emotional, since she hadn’t performed there since 2017 “It felt like a reunion My students were in the crowd, people were hearing my
music for the first time and I performed songs from my latest album, Ndilapha The set paid tribute to her grandmother, daughter, mother and the late Khumalo “It was deeply personal, songs about being a black woman, daughter, mother, wife ” Between raising a child, dealing with personal loss and completing an MBA during the Covid-19 pandemic, she continued to perform, teach, write, and research “At the time I asked myself, ‘What am I even doing'?” she laughs “But two and a half years later, I was done and teaching part-time That’s when I knew I wanted to stretch my academic muscle further ” Now firmly rooted at UCT, she’s as passionate about music education as she is about performance “We don’t explore the full value of music in the education system, especially at basic levels Music teaches discipline, punctuality, respect, consistency These are life skills ” Her message to aspiring musicians is clear and unwavering: “Talent is not enough You have to invest in your craft You must study You must work ”
Xaluva-Dyantyis lives what she teaches: a life composed not just in melody, but in intention, perseverance and purpose
Non-profitorganisationupskillsunemployedcommunity
A non-profit based in Masiphumelele hopes to upskill the community and build future leaders and facilitators Founder and Hout Bay resident
Athene Kannemeyer, runs The Sew Café, a non-profit organisation (NPO) that trains participants in sewing and stitching
She said her mother's love for fashion design influenced her from a young age
“My mother was a fashion designer and that’s where my love of fashion began She was actually the trainer of the original sewing programme
I expanded in 2013 I’ve always felt a responsibility to contribute, even in my small way, to healing what was so deeply broken in our society, particularly the staggering unemployment and poverty, especially in informal settlements
“Skills development and job creation aren't just economic necessities; they’re moral imperatives for our communities,” said Kannemeyer
The Sewing Café produces garments and accessories for brands, schools, corporates, hotels and so on as well as a skills-training centre
CPOA Avondrust Court
20 Rouwkoop Road, Rondebosch, Cape Town
Peace of mind • Rentals Available • Retirement home • Independent Living
Situated in the leafy suburb of Rondebosch, Avondrust court is a warm and friendly court which offers lovely mountain views and two courtyards with rose gardens in which to enjoy quality time with the family Ensuring that retirees can find a solution that suits their needs and budget, different living options are offered which include single rooms, single or double occupancy units as well as a 40 bed on-site CPOA Care Centre.
It also has an after-school sewing club for teens from Masiphumelele High
“We are in the planning stages of launching a hub where entrepreneurs can come along and sew in a studio type space It will serve as a place where our graduates (and the public generally) can rent machines per hour/day/month and use the equipment and machines to start their own businesses ”
One success story from this initiative is Someleze Jabe (20), who previously worked at The Sew Café “I’m originally from the Eastern Cape and moved to Masiphumelele in 2013
“I hold a BCom degree in Management Accounting from Stellenbosch University and I am currently furthering my studies there
“I recently completed a short sewing course at Sewing Cafe Cape Town "
Jabe started training at Sewing Café at age 15, in Grade 9
“I was interested in their sewing programme because I always dreamt of starting something of my own, but didn’t know where to begin due to limited resources
“When our teacher introduced us to the free high-school sewing programme I saw it as the
opportunity I had been waiting for I joined right away and never looked back I have gained many skills – team working, sewing , creativity, customer engagement and many more
The challenge at the beginning was that I didn’t have any prior knowledge about sewing machines or pattern making, so it took some time for me to adjust to a sewing and factory environment, but with patience from the programme teachers and Athene I became the best of myself ”
Jabe started a new business, Jabeson Bags, alongside the Sew Café
“I see myself as having a big factory with lots of machines, as Athene has, with me providing jobs to people and contributing to lessening an ever-increasing unemployment rate in South Africa
“I also see myself as having stores across the country and continuing manufacturing strong, quality products that will tell our township stories and struggles to the world, and show people one ’ s background doesn’t determine one ' s future “As long as you are determined and passionate about your business you will make it ”
Jazz vocalist, composer and UCT lecturer
Nomfundo Xaluva-Dytantjies said her path into jazz wasn’t planned; it evolved
The Masiphumlele Sew Cafe staff members.
Abiding passion for a true calling
KAYLYNNEBANTOM
They are known as the backbone of the health sector and often go beyond the call of duty to ensure patients are taken care of
For many, the nursing profession is more than just a job but a passion International Nurse’s Day celebrated annually on 12 May once again paid homage to the thousands of men and women under the theme “Our nurses Our future Caring for nurses strengthens economies” People’s Post spoke to a few nurses to find out what the profession meant to them
For Noerjan Morkel (57), a clinical nurse practitioner at Lady Michaelis Community Day Centre in Plumstead, nursing others is a divine purpose
She has been in the field for 37 years
Her father had his heart set on her becoming a doctor, only to be disappointed; instead, she opted to follow in the footsteps of two of her beloved aunts
“One if them is currently 68 years old and is still nursing She retired and is on contract now Her care and dedication to the profession made me identify with her I actually initially wanted to do law, but God had other plans for me
” Morkel believes she was a born
Care, compassion, dedication and helping people are qualities that make the best nurses.
nurse
“Care, compassion, dedication and helping people are all qualities I had that inspired me to become a nurse
My patients make me feel special
Working with people is the best that could’ve ever happened to me, and I go that extra mile for them I can’t stop thanking God for sending me here ”
Morkel said she proudly wore her epaulettes
“This was the first year that I felt like it was Nurses’ Day I felt proud
Just wearing my uniform with my epaulettes makes me feel I deserve to wear it I am proud of being a nurse
I can boast about myself because I am a good nurse
”
She encouraged nurses to invest in their well-being
“I take leave when it’s called for and often go and see a counsellor whenever such a service is needed I have learnt to set boundaries, and I try to exercise a lot
“I like spending time with family
and friends too ”
Aeysha Wagiet is an advanced midwife at Mowbray Maternity Hospital for the past 27 years
She explained a midwife played a vital role in providing patients with support during childbirth
“Helping patients with pain relief and being very attentive and explaining each procedure
“Identifying any problems and managing it as per standard procedures and protocols
“I would always inform partners and family and continuously update family members regarding a patient's
condition
Communication with families is very important to address any fear or anxiety that the family may feel ” Wagiet believes Nurses’ Day is an opportunity to uplift the nursing profession
“I focus on my own well-being by ensuring that nursing staff work in a safe environment I always try to keep my staff motivated to do their best in any situation ”
Rondebosch resident Sesethu Magqashela has been a midwife for two years His passion for the profession was sparked by an injury during
a rugby game
“The nurses who took care of me inspired me to come out of my depression ”
Magqashela believes the biggest challenge in the health profession today is shortage of staff
“Shortages of well-trained nurses
After covid I noticed an increase in mental health illnesses
“You firstly need to be very sure as nursing is not just a job for security You need to have the passion, the drive, endurance and heart to become a nurse ”
Ayesha Wagiet is a midwife at Maternity Hospital. PHOTOS: SUPPLIED
Rondebosch resident Sesethu Magqashela has been a midwife for two years.
Noerjan Morkel is a clinical nurse practitioner at Lady Michaelis Community Day Centre in Plumstead.
Pioneeringmedicalaccessibility
SAMANTHALEE-JACOBS
Growing up in the rural KwaZulu-Natal midlands with her grandparents and witnessing and their medical needs, with its lack of medical facilities, made a lasting impression on Dr Winile Makhaye She saw the huge expenses involved in accessing what was needed to manage their chronic conditions
“At a young age I already knew I needed to grow to make life easier for my grandparents and my community And medicine, for me, was a way of serving people while also challenging the systems that often neglected our health needs
“My path to eye, nose and throat (ENT) specialising was at the advice of my mentor as a junior doctor who was passionate about becoming a surgeon, Dr Babongile Zulu She was one of the first black female surgeons to graduate from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) and was therefore a huge inspiration to many of us
“Having had minimal exposure to ENT as a student and an intern, I then invested some time during my community service to learn more about the discipline ”
Working at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital in Umlazi, KZN at the time, Makhaye said she witnessed first-hand the power of ENT intervention on lives
“I saw how children suffered isolation due to hearing loss and foul-smelling pus from their ears as a result of infection, and who had their lives completely transformed, not to mention social integration, after accessing ENT services and receiving the appropriate medical or surgical
intervention
Makhaye is one of the few black female specialist otolaryngologists in South Africa making a meaningful impact on both the medical field and her community
Her journey into ENT medicine began with her passion for helping people gain or sustain quality of life, particularly those struggling with conditions such as vertigo, sleep apnoea, tinnitus, sinusitis and laryngitis
She earned her fellowship in otorhinolaryngology and obtained a master’s degree in the surgical management of obstructive sleep apnoea from UKZN and now specialises in anterior skull-base and sinus surgery, ensuring patients receive the latest treatments available
“After my specialist training I knew I wanted to work somewhere where the need was real and personal,” she said “The opportunity came up and I had a few visits to the Mitchells Plain area and met with some of my colleagues who had established practices there and I got the sense there was a huge need for an ENT-specialist service I wanted to be part of the solution, to be visible in the community and provide specialised, compassionate care close to home ”
Her passion extends to ensuring to bridge the gap of medical access in underprivileged communities
“Mitchells Plain and the greater Cape Flats face significant health-care disparities The are barriers to accessing specialist medical care largely due to cost My practice tries to close that gap by offering accessible, community-oriented care
“We keep our private consultation
rates relatively low for patients without medical aid, collaborate with local clinics to ensure quicker referrals and focus heavily on education, teaching people about early signs of ENT conditions before they become emergencies It’s about meeting people where they are, and not expecting them to fight their way into an overburdened system ”
Partnering with the Melomed group in running outreach programmes, mainly targeted at youth and school-going children, are some of her interventions
“These include health-awareness talks, career guidance and an annual Youth Day initiative,” said Makhaye “I am also very passionate about mother and child care, and Melomed runs an annual seminar for expectant families, which focuses on health education with ENT emphasis on pregnancy-related ENT conditions and what to expect in the ‘First 1 000 Days’ of baby life, which is the period from conception until a child’s second birthday ENT is not just about fancy surgeries or hearing aids; it’s about protecting vital senses like hearing, breathing, swallowing and speech ”
With flu season imminent Makhaye says ENT conditions could worsen
“During the flu season ENT issues like sinus infections, ear infections, and sore throats skyrocket A simple cold can lead to more serious complications like middle ear infections in children, tonsillitis or even sinusitis requiring surgery Early treatment is key Residents should know that if symptoms such as blocked ears, facial pain or a persistent sore throat don’t clear after a week it’s time to see an ENT specialist rather than wait for it to worsen ”
As a woman working in a male-dominated space, Makhaye encourages women and girls to step into these spaces
“Take up space boldly and unapologetically For too long, women – especially black women – have been made to feel like we must apologise for our ambition, our presence and even our success
“In male-dominated fields like ENT, I often walk into meetings or operating theatres where I’m the only woman, sometimes the only black person It can be intimidating, but I remind myself: I earned my place I bring value that no one else can replicate I want women to know that our perspectives matter, our leadership matters and that our presence can reshape spaces We need to be part of the solution ”
Dr Winile Makhaye is one of few black female specialist otolaryngologists in South Africa, practising in Mitchells Plain and Tokai.
People's Post is distributed every Tuesday and reach an estimated 419 650 readers
Champintimelymove
Grant Goldschmidt originally from Mitchells Plain and now residing in Goodwood, former SA beach volleyball champion, is now plying his trade as a beach volleyball commissioner for the Cape Town Volleyball Federation and coaching two ladies teams at the University of Cape Town. He retired in 2022 after the Beach Pro Tour held in the Mother City.
“In August last year I was approached by the Federation to assist as they needed someone with expertise to make opportunities available for everyone in the Cape Town area to play beach volleyball We competed in nine events from October until March over the summer season and we had a successful beach league, but the indoor-season has started and we are currently competing in the indoor league,” he says Being in volleyball for almost 30 years, he became involved at the
s a so ost
e U
s ty Games from (Thursday) 29 May until (Wednesday) 4 June where teams from universities countrywide will come down to play in the National USSA Tournament,” he says Goldschmidt started his volleyball career at the age of 19, went to study at UWC and played for the
