The Durban University of Technology’s (DUT’s) Gender Forum hosted a Gender Forum-Webinar which focused on Self-care during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The DUT community were invited to be part of the online conversation on 23 April 2020, from 1pm to 2pm. The webinar included guest speakers: Dr Heleen Grobbelaar- Senior Lecturer, Food and Nutrition, DUT and Revd Dr Delysia Timm- Minister and Student Success Coach.
Dr Heleen Grobbelaar’s presentation delved on the importance of good nutrition for maintaining a healthy body and a sense of well-being. She also focused on eating healthy and its effects on building the immune system. She stressed that also practicing proper disinfectant procedures like washing fruit and vegetables with soapy water is one of the ways to lessen the threat one may feel when bringing the perishable items to one’s home after visiting the shops.
Rev Dr Timm spoke about how the DUT community can be considerate, creative, flexible and reflective in their approach to themselves especially during the national Lockdown and the weeks ahead.
“Be grateful and have an attitude for gratitude. I also want to also encourage you (the DUT community) that you need to understand your context before anything and accept the context we find ourselves,” she stressed.
Speaking more on the webinar Dr Rosaline Govender, Chairperson: Gender Forum said, “The global pandemic of Covid-19 has created in people a feeling of helplessness and hopelessness. Many are in a state of panic as stories of doom and gloom abound. Many are also feeling the pressures of trying to cope with being quarantined and still expected to deliver at home and respond to work related tasks. Numerous online meetings and work deadlines coupled with the demands of being at home can leave staff feeling stressed and overwhelmed.”
She also said that during this pandemic many have become physically and emotionally drained and hence the need to remind staff about the importance of self-care, which is vital in order maintain a positive mind-set amidst this pandemic.
“The Gender Forum will be offering a series of Webinars on Self-care during the lockdown period. The online platform is ideal for reaching the DUT community and it provides synchronous support. The Webinars also provide a space for staff to share their varied experiences and coping mechanisms as they engage with experts and professionals,” said Dr Govender.
She concluded by adding that the Webinar was a resounding success. “Based on the discussion that transpired during the Webinar , the Gender Forum’s next Webinar on 6 May 2020 will focus on coping with fear and anxiety with guest speaker psychologist Claudette Jordan,” she said.
Biography
Dr Heleen Grobbelaar is a senior lecturer in the Department of Food and Nutrition Consumer Sciences. Her interests are in Community Based Participatory Research to address nutrition related community issues by implementing evidence-based interventions. She is working closely with the Child Welfare Durban District on nutrition issues and is currently busy with the development of the national South African Food Based Dietary Guidelines for the elderly in association with the Department of Health.
Rev Dr Delysia Timm is a past member of Gender Forum at DUT until her early retirement at the end of 2018. She is currently in fulltime ministry as a priest in the Anglican church and serve as a Canon on the Chapter, which is the Advisory Board of the Bishop of the Diocese of Natal. She is also a coach for student success in Higher Education. Her interests include crocheting, walking to keep fit, reading and exploring technology.
Pictured: Dr Heleen Grobbelaar
Pictured: Rev Dr Delysia Timm
Waheeda Peters
