DUTYWA- A Women’s Month outreach by the Gcinabantu Hutchison Ngcukayitobi Foundation(GHNF) has brought much-needed healthcare services and tertiary education guidance to a rural community in Sikhobeni Village, Dutywa.
The foundation held the outreach at Mndeni Senior Secondary School on 14 August, combining women’s health services with broader medical assistance and career guidance for Grade 11 and 12 learners.
Foundation chairperson Brenda Ngcukayitobi said the initiative was primarily aimed at addressing women’s health concerns, but the needs of the wider community could not be overlooked.
“As it is Women’s Month, our primary objective was to raise awareness and address health issues affecting women. However, given the healthcare challenges prevalent in rural communities, we also extended medical assistance to all members of the community in need,” she said.
Residents received Pap smears, family planning services, TB and HIV testing and counselling, health education and treatment for minor ailments.
Ngcukayitobi said the strong turnout highlighted the extent of the need for healthcare services in the area.
“We are grateful to have been welcomed by the community. It was evident that there is a significant need for healthcare services in the area,” she said.
The outreach also turned its attention to the future of young people, with Universities and Technical Vocational Education and Training(TVET) colleges assisting Grade 11 and 12 learners with applications and providing information about post-school opportunities.
Ngcukayitobi said education remained one of the foundation’s key priorities, alongside raising awareness about gender-based violence(GBV).
“Our primary focus remains on education and raising awareness around GBV but it was important for us to provide broader support during this outreach,” she said.
For King Hintsa TVET College, the timing of the event was particularly significant as August is recognised as TVET Month.
The college’s manager of marketing and communications, Thando Masiko said rural learners needed greater exposure to opportunities in higher education and vocational training.
“Schools in rural areas need a proper understanding of what is happening in higher education. We are also here to remove the mindset that TVET colleges are not good enough,” Masiko said.
He said the college had introduced new programmes aligned with industry needs and that applications would open on 01 September. He said applications would be free and could be completed online or remotely.
Furthmore, Mndeni Senior Secondary School principal Siphiwo Maqume welcomed the initiative, saying rural schools needed exactly this kind of direct support.
“Today I feel very happy because of this visit from the GHNF. The school management and parents are very happy,” Maqume said.
He said the presence of doctors, nurses, King Hintsa TVET College and iYunivesithi Walter Sisulu gave learners an opportunity to receive direct guidance on their career choices.
In addition Grade 12 learner Siwaphiwe Mase said the assistance had given her greater clarity about her plans after matric.
“I feel so happy that we got this visit because they helped me with how to apply to universities and colleges,” she said.
Mase said she now hoped to pursue veterinary studies at Nelson Mandela University.
The outreach was delivered in partnership with the Eastern Cape Department of Health, Department of Social Development, Department of Education, National Prosecuting Authority, South African Police Service, King Hintsa TVET College, Walter Sisulu University, Black Hawk Foundation, Dan Pasiya Foundation, New Generation Foundation and Link Pharmacy.
For the foundation, the day served as a reminder that commemorating Women’s Month in rural communities can extend beyond awareness campaigns bringing essential healthcare to residents while opening pathways to higher education for the next generation.
Sthabile Sambela
16 August 2026
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