MEDIA INVITE BY PROFESSOR MONIQUE MICHAL MARKS, RESEARCH PROFESSOR AT THE DURBAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

The Durban University of Technology, together with residents of Kenneth Gardens in Umbilo, Durban, invites members of the media and interested members of the public to the opening of the new Wellness Centre in Kenneth Gardens.

The Homeopathy Department at DUT runs a weekly clinic in the area, with the aim being to combine allopathic and alternative health care services in the facility. At present, the very well supported Homeopathic Clinic in Kenneth Gardens is the only homeopathy clinic existing within a low income housing estate in the country.

The Wellness Centre is run by Khanyi Sibiya, a resident of Kenneth Gardens and the founder of Senzokhule Home Based Care. The success of the Wellness Centre and the move of the clinic to the new building is the result of collaborations between DUT and Kenneth Gardens residents, together with a range of partners.

The new facility is situated within the Kenneth Gardens Housing Estate, in a previously dilapidated building. This once dilapidated building has been completely renovated, with huge assistance from community partners such as the Glenridge Church. This wellness centre will go a long way in meeting the primary health care needs of the residents of Umbilo and the rest of ward who currently have no local clinic and who have to travel to Wentworth Hospital for healthcare services as a result.

This Kenneth Gardens Wellness Centre is a flagship example of DUT’s commitment to community engagement.

The relocation to the new facility will take place on Wednesday, 25 February 2015 at 10am.

The event will take place as follows:

Time: 10:00 am

Date: Wednesday, 25 February 2015

Venue:  Kenneth Gardens Wellness Centre (Lower Kenneth Gardens). Please use Selbourne Road entrance opposite Port Natal School. At the Centre there will be students from DUT to show members of the media and public to the exact point of where the event is taking place.

For more information and to RSVP, please contact Pruthvi  Aswathanarayana: pruthvia@dut.ac.za/ 031 373 2100.

For interviews and background information on the clinic, members of the media can contact Professor Monique Michal Marks: moniquem@dut.ac.za/ 031 373 2180/ 084 40 33 934.

Issued by:

Noxolo Memela

Media Officer

Botanic Mansions

Division: Corporate Affairs

Steve Biko Campus

Gate 1

Tel: 031 373 2899

Fax: 031 202 2475