Madelise Grobler: DMA winner and multi-faceted ... - Words' Worth

30CSI PROFILEThe change for all to seeGhandi once said “you have to be the change you want to see”. Nowhereis this more evident than in the wards and halls of the ShandukaniMaternal and Child Health Centre that recently opened in Hillbrow.Celebrating the official handover of the Shandukani facility were, among others,Ntombi Megwe (in red), the Gauteng MEC for Health; next to her Dr AaronMotsoaledi, Minister of Health; and Helen Reese (in the grey dress and blackjacket), executive director of the WRHI. Back row, far left, Robbie Venter, AltronCE; next to him Craig Venter, CEO of Altech; front row, second from left, SearaMkhabela, Altron group executive corporate affairs. Joe Makhafola, Altech groupexecutive corporate affairs, marketing, government liaison & regulatory affairs isin the back row, second from right.After two years of hard work,Shandukani, which means“change” in Venda, was officiallyopened during July.Located in Hillbrow in Johannesburg’sinner city, the facility is notable for itsstate-of-the-art technology and integratedapproach to healthcare. Shandukanibrings high-tech health and researchfacilities to a community marked byabove-average rates of HIV and infectiousdiseases, and ensures that vulnerablewomen and children have accessto expert medical care and treatment ontheir doorstep.In addition to its role as a working labourward and maternal health facility,Shandukani will be used to train healthcareproviders, community workers andresearchers. It is also home to a worldclassresearch team working on a rangeof health-related topics of national andregional significance, including HIV/ConservationkudosShandukani is the proud winner of thisyear’s Colosseum Award for ConservingJohannesburg. The award recognised thepreservation of one of the city’s importantarchitectural heritage assets and the transformationof a derelict building intoa R30-million contemporary clinic.The Van Niekerk Operating Theatrewas built in 1927 on the grounds of theold Hillbrow Hospital. When it was decided torestore and transform it into a modern healthcarefacility, the architects were tasked withpreserving the building’s architectural integrityin recognition of its significant heritage valueand historical importance. A professional team,led by specialist conservation architects, HenryPaine and Partners and represented by KylieRichards, worked tirelessly to make this visiona reality. Henry Paine describes the work asone of his “favourite projects ever”. The ProvincialHeritage Resources Authority Gauteng(PHRAG) was on hand to make sure all alterationswere done sensitively and in harmonywith the surroundings.Commenting on the Colosseum Award, SearaMkhabela, Altron group executive: corporate affairs,praises the meaningful involvement of thewhole Altron group: “We contributed more thanmoney, electronic equipment and project managementskills. Thanks to our support, Shandukaniwill not only benefit thousands of womenand children living in the inner city; the buildingitself will remain a piece of living history.”The Colosseum Award came about in 1982during the struggle to save the Colosseumbuilding from demolition, and continues topromote the conservation of heritage buildings