SIOC-cdt spearheads positive change among communities this February and beyond

SIOC-Community Development Trust (SIOC-cdt), in conjunction with the Northern Cape Department of Health (NCDoH) and LoveLife, continues to bring essential health and social services to the Northern Cape

Amidst the grip of a global pandemic, this month sees a focus on continued awareness across many other pressing health and wellness areas across South Africa.

“The onslaught of Covid-19 on South African (and the world’s) society and healthcare resources has been unprecedented and unrelenting,” said Vusani Malie, CEO of SIOC-cdt. “However, the need for continued focus across all areas of health and wellness remains essential in the management of both terminal illness and preventable conditions.”

With this month’s Pregnancy Awareness Week (10-16 February), STI/ Condom Week (12-16 February) and Healthy Lifestyle Awareness Day (19 February), SIOC-cdt remains committed to its vision of empowering its beneficiary communities to thrive beyond the lifespan of the mine through the implementation of sustainable socio-economic initiatives in partnership with key stakeholders.
“What this means in essence,” continued Mr Malie, “is the implementation of various community-based projects in conjunction with our partnership network – all of which are focused on our three key areas of education and skills development, enterprise development and social welfare.”

Two such projects that will see continued emphasis during February 2021, include the Re a Fola Health Promotion Project and the Maria Masilo Leu Youth Centre project situated in Dibeng within the Gamagara local municipality jurisdiction.

Originally launched in 2018 in conjunction with the Northern Cape’s Department of Health (NCDoH), Re a Fola provides for one mobile clinic rendering essential healthcare services to three fixed healthcare establishments (weekly) and five mobile points (fortnightly) across Tsantsabane in the Northern Cape.

Project outcomes per visit include the screening of at least 20 people for HIV and/or TB and 20 women for cervical cancer, with the enrolment of any positive cases in a treatment programme. Another outcome, is the screening of at least 30 people for eyecare, the prescription of spectacles where needed and treatment of any further eye conditions discovered, particularly with regards to preventable blindness. Dental screening and extraction of teeth are also done. Health promotion activities are also an important part of the project.

“Access to regular and reliable healthcare is paramount for a family and community’s health and wellness and in their sustainability,” said Refilwe Sebogodi, Head Stakeholder Relations and Communications at SIOC-cdt.

The Maria Masilo Leu Youth Centre, in partnership with LoveLife, is another key component of SIOC-cdt’s delivery within the Northern Cape. Its goal is to provide the community’s youth of approximately 2500 between the ages of 10 and 30 with the opportunity for further development across areas such as key skills and to be able to access employment opportunities (as relevant).

Another important element is to promote health services and awareness with a particular focus on reducing the number of teenage pregnancies, STI diseases and HIV/ AIDS. This is further facilitated by the provision and encouragement of participation in sport and recreation programmes, the latter of which addresses key societal and community issues, including that of gender-based violence (GBV).

Says Floyd Mpolokeng, Centre Manager of the Maria Masilo Leu Youth Centre: “Our objective is to help decrease many of the social ills identified in the Dibeng region by creating a one stop shop with a myriad of services available for young people in the community.”

The month of February 2021, in particular, will see the role out of various youth focused workshops to coincide with STI/ Condom Week, Pregnancy Awareness Week and Healthy Lifestyle Awareness Day.
Apart from the empowerment and educative leg, the two initiatives combined provide employment opportunities for approximately 40 individuals in the area.

SIOC-cdt communication