Gender Dynamix for Gender Equality

We spoke to Lynda Ichumane from Gender DynamiX about being transgender, the challenges that are regularly faced and how she overcame them.

Gender Dynamix is the first African based organisation focusing solely on the transgender community. It is an Non governmental, Non-profit organisation, that aims to provide help, advice and information for those who seek to adjust their lives to live in the opposite gender role, as to that assigned to them at birth; or who are working to come to terms with their situation despite their genetic background. It provides resources, information and support to trans folks, their partners, family employers and the public.

She explains that she was born a male but had identified as a woman since the age of 4 and says the community in KZN where she grew up, was very helpful despite a family who disowned her. She also draws attention to working with Home Affairs to change the Act 49 of 2003 focuses on alternation of sex that allows for people to change their gender marker. She adds that the community often suffers discrimination and are not provided sufficient jobs and health care.

She appeals to all to be more sensitive and understand that transgenders and others alike are simply people with human rights too.  

For more details:
Website: www.genderdynamix.org.za

Written by: Tauhierah Salie

Embryologist Aqeel Morris tell us about Infertility

We also spoke to Aqeel Morris, a Reproductive  biologist and scientist working at Tygerberg Fertility Clinic, about infertility and treatments.

He tells us about his interesting work of having to cultivate and assess male infertilities. He explains how he is part of the team responsible for growing embryos, incubating them and transferring them “back” into women. They assist struggling couples to have a child/children by cultivating and incubating embryos. Although “curing” fertility hasn’t been established, they find ways of by-passing the issue.

There are various ways they try to help, such as treatments like: timed ovulation- which gives couples guidelines to which point in the woman’s cycle they should try to conceive; Inter Uterine Insemination (IUI)- which takes partners concentrated sperm and injects it directly into the uterus of woman; In vitro fertilization (IVF)- which removes eggs from females’ body, combines it with purified sperm and incubates it overnight. Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)- directly injects single sperm cell into an egg and culture embryos for between 3-5 days before putting it back into woman.

Risk factors for men and women include age, smoking, being overweight or underweight and general unhealthy living. He says Infertility has a certain –unfortunate- stigma based on social constructs and that this shouldn’t be the case as it simply another medical disorder. He says people shouldn’t stigmatize being “barren” and encourages everyone to get professional opinions as they are available.

Theyre based at :
Park Rd, Pinelands, Cape Town, 7405
Phone: 021 531 6999
For more information:
Email him: Aqeelmorris@gmail.com

Written by: Tauhierah Salie 

Dr Faatima Kimmie tells us about Endometriosis

For health Mondays we spoke to Dr Fatimah Kimmie from Kimoramed, about Endometriosis.
Kimoramed is a health center that offers reliable treatment with a focus on family and women’s healthcare.

All KimoraMed doctors are certified by the Health Professions Council of South Africa, and offer services with compassion whilst adhering to contemporary global research guidelines.
She describes Endometriosis as a painful disorder in which tissue that normally lines the inside of your uterus  (the endometrium) grows OUTSIDE your uterus. It most commonly involves the ovaries, fallopian tubes and the tissue lining your pelvis.  It is a disease that often goes unnoticed until women fail to conceive and realise too late that they needed treatment.

Symptoms include: Painful periods (dysmenorrhea), excessive bleeding, pain during or after sexual intercourse and Pain with bowel movements or urination. You may experience occasional heavy periods (menorrhagia) or bleeding between periods (menometrorrhagia). You may also experience fatigue, diarrhea, constipation, bloating or nausea, especially during menstrual periods.
We touched briefly on the strain infertility can put on a relationship and individual that cannot conceive and the negative impacts it can have.

She urges women to regularly go for pap smears from the first time they are sexually active, once every 3 years, and women above 40 to go once every 5 years. Everyone should do their bit in spreading awareness about the disorder and help women to get diagnosed early to avoid complications.

They are based in :
Lansdowne Corner Shopping Centre 
Shop No. 27, at the Main Entrance, Cnr Govan Mbeki Road and Jan Smuts Drive, Cape Town
Call Out Service- 064 685 5041 
KimoraMed Lansdowne Practice -021 704 0522 
Email: info@kimoramed.co.za 

Written by: Tauhierah Salie

Chef, Food Stylist and Deputy Food Editor becomes Author of Joanne 14

Hope Malau- Chef, food stylist , Deputy Food Editor for Taste magazine and- now- Author of Johanne 14, joins us for our final interview of the week. Malau grew up in Klerksdorp and contributes part of the books’ success to his grandfather, mother and uncle and various family members.

His passion for food and exposure to many different cultures allowed him to produce an unconventional recipe book. Joanne 14 explores the secrets of simple, home-cooked meals in South Africa’s townships and features authentic, traditional dishes cooked with love. It is a vital glimpse into South African township life and a celebration of culture, resilience, human spirit, community and family – through the shared meal.

Find the book at CNA, Exclusive books, Bargain Books or other bookstores for between R200-R275. He gives credit to QuiverTree Publications and encourages everyone to grab themselves a copy.

To Contact him:

E-mail: hopemalau@gmail.com

FB: Chef Malau

Written by: Tauhierah Salie

Chinese Martial Arts and Health Centre offers COMPLIMENTARY week of training!

Marco Kavalier from the Chinese Martial Arts and Health Centre joined us in studio telling us more about Chinese martial Arts and its benefits.

Kavalier recalls that he still has students from when the Chinese Martial Arts and Health Center since opened in 1986. The center has been teaching traditional styles of Kung Fu, Tai Chi and Chi Gung and explains how it boosts students confidence and instills self-discipline and structure. 

He clarifies that the three are different styles of the art. With Kung-Fu being a hard style, it includes karate and kata, martial arts fitness, sparing and joint locking. Tai Chi, he says, is “exactly like you see it in the movies” and focuses on slow movements, balance and controlling “chi” or energy. Chi Gung is the internalised breathing systems and meditation needed for both.

He advises everyone to increase their awareness and be positive and is open to all ages. The Centre offers 1 hour classes and He welcomes everyone to join in for a complimentary week of training, inviting you to try out the classes for a week and see its benefits for yourself-for FREE

Theyre based in Observatory, 85 Station Rd, Observatory (021 448 2594) 
Fish Hoek at 1st Fish Hoek Scout Hall, 58 Upper Recreation Road (0824243751) 
And as well as in centres across the world.

For more information contact Marco Kavilier on 082 568 0240

Website : www.kung-fu.co.za 
Or search @cmahccpt for quick results. 

Written by: Tauhierah Salie

Nisaa Institute for Women's Development Joins Us for Gender Equality

We also spoke to Dr Zubaida Dangor, who is a Clinical Psycologist and the Executive Director of NISAA Institute for Women’s Development, which is a non-profit, non-governmental organization, which aims to enable women and children to live in a world free of violence.

Zubeida tells us of the organization which is opposed to all forms of oppression, exploitation and violence against women and focuses on the prevention of gender violence and the empowerment of women who have been abused at the hands of their partners. It promotes women and children rights through counselling and shelter services, creates awareness and advocacy training, and developing local, national, regional and international partnerships.

Although based in Orange Town, Soweto and Lenasia, they have sister organisations and shelters across the country and encourage anyone who needs assisted to get into contact with them.

For more information, check out their website: www.nisaa.org.za

Contact: 011 854 5804/5 or 011 854 4100/7 

FB: Nisaa Institute for Women's Development

Written by: Tauhierah Salie

Womens Path hosts Women In Leadership, under the theme: Building A Legacy.

We were joined Nowabiso Nisa from Womans Path which is an organisation which focuses on inspiring and empowering woman through education and resources. Upliftment programme cater to all womens needs such as visionary sensory, spiritual, skills development and student mentorship.

She spoke to us about the Organisations 3rd annual conference at Cape Town Stadium, which seeks to acknowledge and award Women In Leadership, under the theme: Building A Legacy. 

The Gala dinner will happen on Friday, 06 July 2018 (from 6PM-10PM) and will see 7 women from the government, construction, business and community and community members acknowledged and awarded for their hard work and contribution to society. Saturday, 07 July 2018 (9AM-5PM) will be open to members of the public to join in on the celebrations and features various spekaers, entertainment, an expo and activities for the children.

  

For more information, checkout: ctc@womanspath.co.za
Website: Ukuanda.co.za/womanspath
Or contact 073 168 4645

Written by Tauhierah Salie

#67FoodGardens Promoting Sustainable and Nutritious Food in Schools

We spoke to Jade Orgil from Springhtly Seed which is a non-profit whose aim is to build sustainable nutrition programs to ensure children from impoverished communities remain food secure. It calls on individuals and business owners to support the fight against hunger at schools.

Jade Orgil describes their latest initiative #67FoodGardens  which will see the implementation of an innovative, water-wise and cost effective worm farm and vertical food garden- that hold up to 29 different foods. It is a free standing unit that doesn’t require land, also makes use of little water and its cultivation method produces more nutritious vegetables. It aims to boost the nutritional package available to children who need it most.

Although the device is simple to use, they offer a development package over a period of 1 year; which includes training, workshops and sufficient start off material to ensure that it is sustainable.

It will be launched on Mandela Day (18 July 2018) and will impact 34 schools across 12 communities and impact 6000 children.

To contribute you can contact : 0799394377
FB: consultingpossibility
website: www.consultingpossibility.com
www.thundafund.com/project/67foodgardens

Written by: Tauhierah Salie

Khaya Imbizo Event inspires Youth to Speak Up

We also spoke to Faith Thando Sidinana, Aviwe and Akona Zodo from Ambassadors of Change.
The organisation is non-profit and focuses on empowering (and advocating for) Youth in our Townships to showcase their talents through self-development. They provide activities such as Dance, Music, Photography & Drama.

They told us more about their Youth Imbizo which will be looking at all the challenges faced by African Youth and help navigate solution driven thinking. It aims to address inequality, education and peace within society. Sidinana makes mention of the Bill which wants to be passed, allowing the consumption and distribution of alcohol at school events. Although there are guest speakers, the aim is to inform the youth, get their opinion and find solutions.

The event is on Saturday, 30 June 2018, at the Desmond Tutu Hall in Khayalitsha, Makhaza from 11.30 AM- 4.30 PM and ENTRY IS FREE.

They are Based in Cape Town at 40878 Gwegweleza Street, Makhaza, Khayelitsha 7784
Contact them:
Call: 076 734 0543
Email: ambassadorsoc@gmail.com
FB: Ambassadors Of Change

Written by: Tauhierah Salie 

Launching "Madiba and Children" 2018

Today, Bridget Kahts and Channel Fredricks from the Center for Early Childhood Development which is a  Non-Profit Organisation, committed to putting young children first by ensuring quality early childhood development for our country’s youngest citizens.

The organisation achieves its goals by providing training, resources and support in early childhood development. Bridget  tell of the recently released book: Madiba and Children, by herself and director Professor Eric Atmore. The book is made up of 3 components, namely:  drawings of Madiba from various schools, sourced photographs by anti-apartheid photographer Benni Ghool and 25 crowd sourced stories by people telling their experience meeting the Legend. 

We spoke and discussed the book and how it aimed to bring awareness to Madiba and the legacy that he aimed to instill, celebrating his values and dedication for children and youth alike.

“Every occasion we dedicate to the concerns ofc the children can only help to  make us a better nation and caring people. There can never be too  much of these occasions or events. In facet, I always say, that everyday of our lives should be devoted to them- for they are our soul future. Every day we should find some time and space for consciously thinking about and doing something for a child or children generally.- Nelson Mandela

Theyve printed 1000 copies that they are distributing for FREE.

Theyre Based in Cape Town at 20 Rosmead Avenue, Claremont, 7708

Contact Details:

Email: cecd@iafrica.com

Telephone: 021 683 2420

FB: Centre for Early Childhood Development

Twitter: @CECD_online

Written by: Tauhierah Salie

Healing Beyond Your Body

This edition of Sakhisiwe and for health Mondays, we were joined in studio by Dr Jefferson Kim Loong Lan; from the Kim Loong Wushu Center. The Center focuses on overall health and wellness, offering a variety of options.

We discussed how acupuncture is used to heal and enhance the body by using traditional and ancient methods just as traditional herbs, moxi-bustion, acupressure and cupping. Through it's unique combination of physiotherapy and chiropractic therapy, it not only treats physical injuries, but also diseases. The center has treated many- from infants to the elderly,of all demographics.

Dr Lan describes Acupuncture as the use of 0.5-2 inch needles to trigger over 300 acupuncture points (that are connected to energy meridians running through the body) to speed up and direct the natural healing mechanism within it.

He tells of his most remarkable experience being his very first patient who needed her baby to be bridged- and after one acupuncture treatment she managed to give birth safely. He jokely recalls his father telling him "not to get ahead of himself."  

He encourages everyone to expand and open their minds. "Do not walk around society with blinkers on- society wants to keep you shut down, like robots, to feed their indulgence and greed. Take off the blinkers”.

The center is based in 133 Bree Street, Cape Town, South Africa; and also offers philosophy sessions, Chinese Martial Arts among others. 

Contact details:
Website: www.kimloong
Email: kimloongwushucentre@gmail.com
Facebook: Int. Kim-Loong Wushu Centre, 
Twitter: @shoalincafe
Center: +27 021 422 2193
Insta @jeffersonlan

Post By Tauhierah Salie