‘Yes’ to more local jobs

MIDRAND – The launch of Project Nomzamo was hosted in Midrand on 20 December.

November 28, 2019

Andrei van Wyk 1 minute read

Nana Maponya and Nonhlanhla Duba from Cansa.

Medical professionals and community workers gathered at the Medtronic offices in Midrand to celebrate the launch of Project Nomzamo on 20 November.

The initiative was founded by CEO of Dimela Health Ruwaika Shaikh with assistance from medical device company Medtronic and Youth Employment Service (Yes) initiative.

Managing director of Medtronic Peter Mehlape at the company’s training facility. *Photo: Andrei van Wyk*

Shaikh said that the project aims to assist the National Department of Health’s attempts to increase access to primary healthcare to South Africans while also giving opportunities of employment for community health workers to engage with the private sector. “What I wanted to achieve was to develop a project that would address the crises in the country. One being the delivery of healthcare and the other being the crisis of youth unemployment. And project Nomzamo came as a result of that.”

Emcee at the launch Thuli Magubane shares a few words. Photo: Andrei van Wyk

Director at the Gauteng Department of Health Mogeru Morowane and representative from the National Department of Health Lindiwe Madikizela. *Photo: Andrei van Wyk*

The structure of the project will see candidates from the Nkangala District in Mpumalanga being brought into the programme where they will receive training and skills wdevelopment through a standardised National Department of Health curriculum with the use of the Medtronic faculties to assist in the training. The training will equip the community health workers with the ability to provide general health education, disease awareness, links to appropriate care and screening and prevention among other things.

National Department of Health representative Lindiwe Madikizela and founder of Project Nomzamo Ruwaika Shaikh. *Photo: Andrei van Wyk*

Managing director of Medtronic Peter Mehlape said, “As corporate citizens, we know we have a responsibility to contribute to society as a whole. Backing Project Nomzamo provides us with the ideal opportunity to do so.”

Roland Naicker, Edith Madela-Mntla and Othelia Langner. *Photo: Andrei van Wyk*

The launch saw attendees receive a tour of the Medtronic training facilities which will assist the community health workers in the programme.

Kwanele Asanta and Peter Mehlape at the launch. *Photo: Andrei van Wyk*

Lindiwe Madikizela from the National Department of Health said, “The project is assisting in the department’s agenda. They are assisting us in reaching out to the community while also helping with creating jobs to the youth. We give them our full support and we appreciate their work.”