Out of the devastation of the July 2021 riots, Gugu Khumalo’s resilience led to the opening of Umlazi’s first Mpathy Clinic, empowering her community with accessible, high-quality healthcare.
Umlazi, South Africa (09 August 2024) – In the aftermath of despair, there’s a unique power in finding hope, and when tragedy strikes, it often ignites a journey towards triumph. This is the story of Gugu Khumalo, a determined community leader in Umlazi, who turned her personal loss into a catalyst for positive change in her township.
Out of the ashes of the devastating July 2021 riots, Khumalo has emerged as South Africa’s newest “nursepreneur,” marking the beginning of a new era of healthcare in Umlazi with the opening of KwaZulu-Natal’s first Mpathy Clinic.
The idea of owning a clinic that offers top-notch private primary healthcare services was far from Khumalo’s mind just a few years ago. She was focused on running her early childhood centre, a vital service for her community. But when the riots ravaged through her township, destroying her centre, Khumalo was left with nothing. However, instead of succumbing to defeat, she chose to rebuild her dreams in a new direction—one that would have an even greater impact on her community.
On Thursday, her journey came full circle with the opening of the Umlazi Mpathy Clinic, a groundbreaking healthcare facility designed to provide accessible, advanced, and affordable primary healthcare to the township’s residents. Powered by global pharmaceutical company Viatris and the Contribute Foundation, Mpathy Clinics are not just healthcare providers—they are life-changing opportunities for women like Khumalo, who now has the chance to own and operate a clinic that will serve her community for years to come.
“I lost everything during the looting in 2021. The odds were against us, and I had to ask myself if I should just give up or keep trying. But I knew I couldn’t give up,” Khumalo reflects on her journey. “I went back to the drawing board and started to seek help. I wrote proposals and realised that my wish for bringing healthcare to the community could be realised.”
The Umlazi Mpathy Clinic is a shining example of what can happen when community leaders, private organisations, and government entities come together with a shared vision. The clinic, which is equipped with the latest in primary healthcare technology, including a 3D ultrasound machine and telemedicine services, offers a wide range of services tailored to the needs of the Umlazi community. From chronic disease management to child health and immunisations and from reproductive health to emergency services, the clinic is poised to address the pressing healthcare needs of an area where the nearest public clinic is often too far for many residents to reach.
“A lot of people in Umlazi are defaulting on taking their medication because the nearest public clinic is too far. We knew we needed to do something. When the clinic opens its doors, I know that patients will be lining up to seek medical care,” Khumalo shared with a hopeful smile.
The significance of opening this clinic during Women’s Month is not lost on Rhiza Holdings healthcare manager, Lerato Seheri.
“Women empowerment is crucial for advancing healthcare in our communities,” Seheri explains. “The nursepreneur model is about more than just providing healthcare—it’s about creating opportunities for women to own businesses, lead in their communities, and create jobs while making a tangible difference.”
The Mpathy Clinic in Umlazi is the ninth of its kind in South Africa, part of a larger vision to establish a network of 70 such clinics nationwide over the next five years. This initiative is not just about alleviating the strain on public healthcare services but also about building a sustainable model where women like Khumalo can become business owners, healthcare providers, and community leaders.
“We collaborate with the Department of Health to identify areas with the greatest need. The goal of the clinic is to alleviate pressure on the department by serving underserved communities,” said Seheri.
As the doors of the Umlazi Mpathy Clinic open, they do so with the promise of a brighter future for the community. This clinic represents more than just a healthcare facility; it stands as a symbol of what can be achieved when individuals refuse to let tragedy define their future. Gugu Khumalo’s story is a powerful reminder that out of the darkest times can come the brightest triumphs and that with determination, resilience, and community support, the impossible becomes possible.
Sources: Gugu Khumalo
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