The past few months of the year have special meaning for Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians, which includes World Retina Week, Eye Care Awareness Month, National Transport Month and Mental Health Awareness Month. The SAOA has risen to the occasion, as always, by disseminating media releases, arranging radio interviews and TV appearances, entering into alliances and partnerships, the introduction of an Art Competition for kids (see below, amongst other activities).
At a regional level, our valued Regional Representatives and SAOA Directors have indeed embraced their ambassadorial responsibilities and led from the front.
WESTERN CAPE
ALL WOMEN ROADBLOCK: 1 AUGUST 2024
The Western Cape Mobility Department -Road Safety Management, together with Provincial Traffic Law Enforcement kicked off Women’s Month with a Women Roadblock, conducted entirely by women from Road Safety Management, Provincial Traffic Law Enforcement, City of Cape Town Traffic, Metro Police, South African Police Services, Land Transport and SANRAL.
This initiative was to encourage safety on the road for all Road Users. The SAOA was invited to participate to encourage motorists to get their eyes tested regularly.
WESTERN CAPE
WESTERN CAPE SAOA OUTREACH IN COLLABORATION WITH UWC AND CPUT
On Thursday, 12 September 2024, an outreach initiative was arranged in Fisantekraal, a rural area, situated near Durbanville in the Western Cape, in collaboration with the University of the Westen Cape (UWC) and students from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT). The initial intent was to screen and refract 150 children but due to time and logistics, we ended up screening 94 school children and refracting 52. Two children were referred for ophthalmology care at Tygerberg hospital.
We had the privilege of being visited by international delegates who were attending the Ubuntu Conference, arranged by UWC and Stellenbosch University. The conference was named Conference on Wheels, as they visited different initiatives instituted by UWC Community Health.
Thanks are extended to the CPUT staff, Clinical Coordinator, Angelique Walbrugh, and CPUT students for helping out every time we get a call for our interventions. CPUT, in collaboration with the SAOA, has made the provision of eyecare more accessible in rural areas in the Western Cape. Appreciation is also extended to SAOA Directors, Sandy Govender (Marketing) and Ntombi Zitha (Public Health) who continue to ensure that optometry is never left behind in any space where the provision of eyecare or intervention is needed.
WESTERN CAPE
SAOA ENGAGE CAPE TOWN SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND
On Thursday 26 September 2024, SAOA Directors, Sandy Govender and Ntombi Zitha, visited the Cape Town Society for Blind (CTSB). The visit included interviews with members of the Society who shared their personal stories and journeys to date, which were recorded for educational purposes.
The SAOA Team got to attend the CTSB AGM and were treated to a dinner in the dark to experience the challenges of being blind.
EASTERN CAPE
EDUCATIONAL ROADBLOCKS
WESTERN CAPE
GOLDEN ARROW BUS
MPUMALANGA
EVERGREEN PRIMARY SCHOOL
GAUTENG
WORLD SIGHT DAY INITIATIVE – SAOA PARTICIPATES AT KAALFONTEIN HIGH SCHOOL
SAOA PARTNERS WITH THE GAUTENG DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
On 10 October 2024, the SAOA partnered with the Gauteng Department of Health (Johannesburg District) at the Kaalfontein School where the high school learners, who had previously been screened were examined.
Of the 70 learners examined, 67 were found to need spectacles. Some learners presented with severe Vernal Keratoconjuctivis and were referred to the Alexandra Eye health clinic for further treatments.
KWAZULU NATALA
WORLD SIGHT DAY INITIATIVE
SAOA PARTICIPATES AT ST HENRY’S
Newly appointed KZN Regional Representative, Reesha Bhana, flew the SAOA flag on World Sight Day, having orchestrated screenings at St Henry’s School supported by colleagues, Neelesh and Sherbhanu.
NORTH WEST
WORLD SIGHT DAY INITIATIVE
SAOA PARTICIPATES AT MAIKAO PRIMARY SCHOOL
Newly appointed NW Regional Representative, Lesego Mokoka, flew the SAOA flag on World Sight Day, having orchestrated a screening at Maikao Primary School in Tlakgameng Village for 94 scholars.
EASTERN CAPE
ECAM INITIATIVE
SAOA PARTICIPATES AT ST STEPHEN’S CHURCH
On Sunday 13 October 2024, SAOA EC Regional Representative, Dudu Zikiza, flew the SAOA Flag having orchestrated a screening and educational talk at Stephen’s Church.
WESTERN CAPE
THE MOTORCYCLISTS
On Sunday 20 October, SAOA Directors, Sandy Govender and Ntombi Zitha, representing the SAOA, joined forces with the Western Cape Department of Mobility to address the important issue of road safety directed at motorcyclists. Emphasis was placed on the importance of regular eye health and vision examinations.
KWAZULU NATAL
EYE CARE AWARENESS AND NATIONAL TRANSPORT MONTH CONTINUED
On 24 October 2024, SAOA Regional Representative, Reesha Bhana, orchestrated an educational roadblock at the Marianhill Toll Plaza, KZN, in collaboration with local authorities.
GAUTENG DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH COMMEMORATES WORLD SIGHT DAY
On Thursday 31 October 2024, the Gauteng Department of Health commemorated World Sight Day at the Chris Hani Hospital as part of their Eye Care Awareness programme and in alignment with the 2024 Eye Care Awareness theme, Love Your Child’s Eyes. Ms. Nomanul Nkomo-Ralehoko, MEC for Health and Wellness issued spectacles to school children after which Paediatric Surgery was observed at St. John Eye Hospital.
