Western Cape Health Minister Dr Nomafrench Mbombo visited False Bay TVET College to promote health and wellness among young people. She used her own life story to motivate students and encourage them to take better care of their health.
Health Awareness Visit at Khayelitsha Campus
Dr Mbombo visited the College’s Khayelitsha Campus on Friday. She was joined by Higher Health and several other stakeholders, including non-governmental organisations and corporate partners.
The visit formed part of her Western Cape-wide awareness campaign at TVET colleges. The campaign focuses on health-related issues that affect students, staff and surrounding communities.
Previous research showed that many young people do not visit healthcare centres often. Some students said these centres do not feel youth-friendly.
Mobile Clinics to Support Student Health
Dr Mbombo said TVET colleges do not always have the same campus health services as universities. For this reason, Higher Health has donated mobile clinics to support students.
Each mobile clinic includes a professional nurse. The clinics offer many of the same services available at primary healthcare facilities.
“Ideally when that mobile clinic comes it must be a one-stop-shop where there will be NGOs creating awareness, testing for TB and other illnesses, vaccination and screening, not only for diabetes and hypertension but also for issues related to mental health,” said Dr Mbombo.
Students Encouraged to Know Their Health Status
Dr Mbombo encouraged students to prioritise their health and wellbeing.
“First things first, as a student, prioritise your health and well-being. And a wise student knows his or her own health status,” she said.
She added that the Western Cape Government has partnered with Higher Health to expand the services offered through the mobile clinics.
These services address challenges that often prevent young people from completing their studies. They include HIV, TB, gender-based violence and mental health support.
Dr Mbombo said mental health has become a major concern since Covid-19. She also highlighted financial wellbeing, sexual and reproductive health, sexuality, and alcohol and substance abuse as key issues facing young people in higher education.
“As the Western Cape government, we have a strategy that by age 25 we want a young person who is independent, responsible, inspired, healthy, socially connected, economically viable and with all the support to flourish,” she said.
Dr Mbombo Shares Her Personal Journey
Dr Mbombo also shared her own journey with students. She explained that she completed matric as a top student, but had to work as a domestic worker in East London because she did not have the funds to study further.
She said employers dismissed her several times. The experience was painful, but one employer’s words changed her outlook.
“Those words were sweet music to me. Deep down I said she is right, I don’t belong here. I don’t belong in this kitchen and I don’t belong to be a domestic worker. I felt so free,” she said.
Dr Mbombo later continued her studies up to doctoral level. She also served as a professor at a local university before joining the provincial government.
“Some of you will be MEC or principals of this college. You must never lose hope. You are the architect of your destiny. Because somehow there’s a plan for you. I never knew I could be here or be a professor there. I was about to be a domestic worker but I refused to accept it. Your attitude is your altitude. Go and fetch your future,” she said.
College Highlights Holistic Student Development
Ms Didi Assure-Wertheim, Academic Manager at False Bay TVET College, said the event showed the College’s commitment to student development.
“We want our students when they graduate to be well-rounded, well-integrated, balanced human beings,” she said.
Ms Anethemba Mgijima, Vice-chairperson of the Student Representative Council at False Bay TVET College, thanked Dr Mbombo, False Bay TVET College and Higher Health for supporting students.
She said the wellness events helped her understand the importance of regular testing and screening.
“Before coming to False Bay TVET College, I was unaware of regular testing and screening, lifestyle diseases such as blood pressure and cholesterol,” she said.
“But through attending campus events like wellness days, I have been educated around the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. As students, we are also informed about the importance of financial awareness, teaching us valuable skills that will benefit us way beyond our time at False Bay TVET College.”
