Biography

I am an occupational therapy lecturer in the discipline of occupational therapy. My work focuses mainly on service learning in the community. Our students work in Mamelodi, Daspoort, and the inner city, in interprofessional and interdisciplinary projects. I am currently completing my Ph.D. in public health on food security of women living with HIV and disability. My master’s in development studies was completed through UKZN, where I also previously worked.

Discipline(s)

Occupational therapy, family medicine, architecture, theology, engineering, and art.

Research description

This is a pilot project sharing the narratives of community members involved in various UP-student-led projects on their daily experiences and realities navigating their lives in vulnerable communities in the city of Tshwane. An incredible amount of good work has been done by various disciplines in responding to the various needs identified in the above-mentioned communities. This includes in the lives of street-based people, especially those living in shelters since the Covid-19 national lockdown during 2020; clients attending COSUP (community-oriented substance use program); and those at the various clinics offered by disciplines (for example Siyathemba clinic on Mamelodi campus). While a considerable amount of research is being done in all these areas, the voices of beneficiaries/community members often remain unheard or are ‘filtered’ through academic lenses. This research focuses on collecting the stories of the community members. The results will be shared with those in positions of power, in order to influence policy and guidelines, for example, the Department of Health’s NHI strategy. It is interprofessional and interdisciplinary and is a key component of addressing complexity within health. It also has a strong focus on mentorship and training.

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