The Department of Nursing at Durban University of Technology (DUT) hosted an Occupational Health Nursing Employee Wellness Day on 3 September 2026 at the Nursing Department, Ritson Open House Building.
Guided by Dr Nellie Naranjee, Occupational Health Lecturer, and organised by the PGDip Occupational Health Nursing 2025 class, the initiative provided an opportunity for postgraduate students to connect academic learning with professional practice, curriculum innovation, community engagement and institutional wellness.
The Wellness Day created an accessible platform for DUT employees and members of the university community to access health information, participate in wellness activities and engage with professional services. The initiative aimed to promote health and well-being, increase awareness of preventable health risks, provide accessible health education and encourage healthy lifestyle choices.
The project was also designed as an authentic Project-Based Learning (PBL) and Design Thinking experience, enabling students to apply their occupational health nursing knowledge to a real-world institutional need. Through the project, students moved beyond theoretical learning to become active planners, designers, implementers, collaborators and reflective practitioners.
Students identified wellness needs, developed solutions, engaged with stakeholders and implemented the intervention, while reflecting on how similar initiatives could be strengthened in the future. This approach demonstrated the practical application of PBL and Design Thinking within the Occupational Health Nursing curriculum.
The programme gave students an opportunity to plan and implement a workplace wellness initiative from concept to execution. They prepared educational materials, developed wellness stations and interacted directly with participants.
The initiative also brought together the DUT Chiropractic and Somatology departments, the KwaZulu-Natal National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa. Four student-led wellness stations focused on general health, mental health, sexual health, and nutrition and fitness. Participants received basic health checks, health information and guidance on making healthier lifestyle choices.
Advocate Omashani Naidoo and Advocate Ishara Mohangi from the NPA delivered educational sessions on human trafficking and gender-based violence (GBV). Drawing on their professional experience and personal stories, they raised awareness about these issues, encouraged participants to seek appropriate support and highlighted the importance of reporting incidents of abuse.
The success of the Wellness Day was made possible through the commitment and collaboration of the PGDip Occupational Health Nursing 2025 class, Dr Nellie Naranjee, the DUT Nursing Department, the DUT Chiropractic and Somatology departments, the KwaZulu-Natal National Prosecuting Authority, the Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa, and participating staff and members of the DUT community.
Special acknowledgement is given to Sr Courtney Du Plessis from the Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa and Sr Salome Naidoo from the Isolempilo Clinic at DUT for their contribution to the initiative.
Their collective efforts demonstrate the value of collaboration in creating meaningful learning experiences while promoting the health and well-being of the university community.
Picture: Supplied
Pictured: Participants and attendees at the Wellness Day
Luyanda Mlaba
