Charity hands over upgraded Kenton Clinic manager’s office
Registered nurse had been doing work from a container
In February 2023, Kentonheadquartered charity Coastal Kindness flagged the dire state of the infrastructure at Kenton and Marselle clinics.
About a year later, on February 16 2024, the organisation handed over a newly built office that the current clinic manager, registered nurse Zelda Neethling, and her successors, will use to enhance the services the clinic offers to residents of Ekuphumleni.
The event saw a who’s who of health officials and Kenton-on-Sea citizens coming together in a project that has been hailed as a template for constructive collaboration between the private sector and the state.
Talk of the Town reported in April 2023 on the situation at Kenton Clinic, in Ekuphumleni. Because of space constraints, the clinic’s manager was forced to work in a container outside the building. It was unbearably hot in summer, and very cold in winter. It had no ventilation, and power for a light and a laptop came from an extension cord from the clinic.
Through raffles and other community supported initiatives, Coastal Kindness raised funds to build an extension on to the clinic, to serve as an office.
The extension to the clinic building was overseen by construction legend Neels Heunis, who was one of the guests of honour at the handover.
Neethling had been using the container for 10 years. She was close to tears when she expressed her appreciation for the light, airy office equipped with a desk, a comfortable chair and lockable storage units.
In their blog, Coastal Kindness wrote: “The extension itself was
designed to blend seamlessly with the existing building and provides the current and future clinic managers with a fit-for-purpose working environment.”
“I feel like a princess,” Neethling
said. She will serve as clinic manager for another two years before retiring.
Head of health for the Sarah Baartman district Dr Bulelwa Mzileni had the honour of cutting a blue ribbon
to officially open the new facility. She said the initiative by Coastal Kindness was more than just about infrastructure.
“You said: ‘This is our community, and our clinic’, and you did something,’,” Mzileni told the gathering at the clinic. “You have improved the lives of people in this community, by taking care of the physical and psychological wellbeing of this clinic’s staff.”
Eastern Cape department of health deputy director for primary health Johanette Ferreira, said: “You are leaving such a great legacy and we really appreciate the gift.”
Magdalene ‘Mackie’ Assumption, who manages the clinics in the department’s Makana subdistrict, said this was a “blue-ribbon” occasion.
“This project was completed to the highest standards,” she said.
Head of the subdistrict Mohamed Docrat expressed gratitude for the support that public health in the area had received from Coastal Kindness.
“Because of austerity measures, infrastrucuture is our biggest challenge,” Docrat said. “I can’t find the words to say thank you,” he said. “We are so privileged to have you in our community.
“I would like to think this could be a template for the private sector or private citizens, working with government.”
Coastal Kindness, in their blog, thanked artist Rose Ginger Deary, who donated a painting to be raffled as their first fundraiser. They thanked everyone who bought tickets; donated items for their auction, all the bidders, and the Kenton Asian team, for the venue.
Periwinkle Trust was the major donor on the project. Makana Brick donated face bricks and Di Malan of Norfolk Designs provided blinds at cost.
Heunis and Doug Swanson were thanked for their effective project management.
The next project that Coastal Kindness will take on is the renovation of the Marselle clinic.