2024 FMHS Social Impact Report : simplebooklet.com

Message from the Vice-Dean: Clinical Services and Social Impact ..............................................................................................................4Introduction: Social Impact Goals and Themes ........................................................................................................................................................... 6Social Impact Initiatives ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................9Group Empowerment and Training (GREAT) for People with Diabetes in the Cape Town Metropole .............................. 10Buddy’s Support Group at FAMCRU ............................................................................................................................................................................12The Better Evidence and Formulations for Improved MDR-TB Treatment for Children (BENEFIT Kids) .........................14Paediatrics Exercise Clinic (PEC).....................................................................................................................................................................................16ISEM Clinic at Tygerberg Hospital..................................................................................................................................................................................18DiSEM Football Medicine Clinic ......................................................................................................................................................................................20Framing Mobility: Frame Running for People with Disabilities ...................................................................................................................22Community Health and Wellness ................................................................................................................................................................................. 24Community Based Rehabilitation Projects in the Cape Metropole and Cape Winelands .......................................................26Open Doors to Future Possibilities ............................................................................................................................................................................... 28Rare Disease Genomics Research Group ................................................................................................................................................................30MitoSAKen: Promoting Cardiovascular Health Through Community Engagement ..................................................................... 32Parkinson’s Awareness and Discovery Days for You (PADDY) .....................................................................................................................34ILCHR: Masiphuhlisane Community Research Centre CABS ......................................................................................................................36Holistic Approaches for Preventing Pregnancy in Youth (HAPPY Project) .........................................................................................38Empowering Youth to Address Alcohol-related Injury in Rural Eastern Cape “eNgqamakhwe” .........................................40Central Karoo District InReach ........................................................................................................................................................................................422024 Social Impact Awards ....................................................................................................................................................................................................44Conclusion .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 46Meet our SI committee for 2024 .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 47CONTENTS

Page 4

4At the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS), Stellenbosch University, social impact is more than just a strategic priority—it is a commitment to driving societal transformation and advancing health equity. Guided by our Social Impact Framework (SIF) (2019-2024), our mission is to create systemic, structural, and social change by addressing pressing health challenges and promoting access to quality healthcare for all.We believe that authentic social impact includes fostering meaningful community partnerships, promoting social justice, and empowering communities to lead healthier lives. Aligned with Stellenbosch University’s strategic goals to broaden access, sustain excellence, and make a meaningful impact on local and global societies, FMHS is dedicated to nurturing future healthcare professionals who are not only skilled clinicians but also compassionate leaders and engaged citizens. Our graduates are equipped to promote health, prevent disease, and provide inclusive healthcare services with a strong sense of social accountability and leadership. Through innovative teaching, relevant and inclusive research, and community engagement, we strive to enhance social and economic participation, ensuring that our graduates are prepared to address the complex health needs of South Africa and beyond. Operating within the complex and evolving health landscape of South Africa, FMHS is acutely aware of the persistent health disparities, socio-economic inequities, and DR THERESE FISH MESSAGE FROM THE VICE-DEAN:Clinical Services and Social Impact the growing burden of non-communicable diseases and mental health challenges. Our social impact initiatives are rooted in community-based participatory action, ensuring cultural relevance and sustainability. These initiatives exemplify our commitment to social justice, equity, and the advancement of health for all. This annual report reects the impactful work undertaken throughout 2024. It showcases a range of initiatives that have strengthened community partnerships, enhanced health education, and improved access to care. These achievements are the result of the unwavering dedication and collaborative eorts of our faculty members,

Page 5

5support sta, students, and community partners. Their commitment to designing, implementing, and evaluating teaching, research, and service-related activities that address societal challenges is commendable. Our work is driven by a deep sense of social accountability—encompassing social responsibility, social responsiveness, and a social mission that aligns with South Africa’s National Development Plan (NDP 2030), the Western Cape Government’s Provincial Strategic Goals (PSGs), and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In particular, our eorts contribute to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), while also supporting broader agendas of social inclusion, equity, and sustainable development. FMHS acknowledges the challenges of measuring social change and recognizes the need for more eective evaluation methods. We are committed to advancing our monitoring and evaluation frameworks to better capture the impact and sustainability of our initiatives. Moving forward, we pledge to continuously improve these practices, ensuring they eectively guide our community engagement strategies and enhance our social impact. While this report captures many impactful initiatives, we acknowledge that much of the valuable social impact work goes unreported, often embedded in everyday community interactions. We remain committed to enhancing our social impact by fostering innovative, community-centered approaches and continuing to align our eorts with both national and global health priorities. Looking forward, FMHS is dedicated to building on the successes of 2024, addressing emerging challenges, and remaining a leader in health sciences education, social accountability, and community engagement. Forward together,Dr Therese Fish Vice-Dean: Clinical Services and Social Impact Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Stellenbosch University NOTE ON THE SCOPE OF INITIATIVES INCLUDED This report presents a selection of social impact initiatives undertaken within the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences during the reporting period. It includes only those projects that were formally registered on Stellenbosch University’s Social Impact Repository. While it does not reect the full extent of engagement and community collaboration across the Faculty, it oers a snapshot of documented work aligned to our institutional framework. We encourage all departments and teams to register their initiatives to ensure a more comprehensive representation in future reporting cycles.

Page 6

6PROVINCIAL STRATEGIC GOALS (PSG)INTRODUCTION: Social Impact Goals and ThemesSocial impact is central to Stellenbosch University’s strategic positioning for the 21st century: “Creating and sustaining an environment of inclusivity, transformation, innovation, diversity, and maintaining excellence with a focus on the future”. In line with the Social Impact Strategic Plan (2017-2022), the FMHS division of Social Impact pledges to signicantly contribute to improving societal well-being and advocate for social justice. The FMHS division of Social Impact contributes directly to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, South Africa’s National Development Plan (NDP) and the Western Cape Provincial Strategic Goals (PSDs), as seen below.UNITED NATIONS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDG):Contribution to the 17 SDGs with a focus on health equity (SDG 3), education access (SDG 4), and social justice (SDG 10). SOUTH AFRICA’S NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN (NDP)Alignment with South Africa’s NDP to achieve inclusive healthcare, education, and economic development by 2030.WESTERN CAPE PROVINCIAL STRATEGIC GOALS (PSG)Support for PSGs through community health, educational outreach, and collaborative interventions. View SDGs View NDPs View PSGs

Page 7

Page 8

Page 9

Page 10

10SOCIAL IMPACT INITIATIVES10“The training helped me understand real-world healthcare challenges and how to work with communities to address them.” – MEDICAL STUDENTGroup Empowerment and Training (GREAT) for People with Diabetes in the Cape Town MetropoleDEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND EMERGENCY MEDICINE DIVISIONS OF EMERGENCY MEDICINE AND FAMILY MEDICINE AND PRIMARY CARESTRATEGIC THEME:Food Security and HealthThe GREAT Project (Growing, Reaching, Empowering, and Transforming) is a community-driven initiative aimed at improving health outcomes and social well-being in underserved communities. This university-community partnership leverages interdisciplinary collaboration, capacity building, and research to address pressing health challenges such as non-communicable diseases (NCDs), mental health, and social determinants of health. The project not only provides direct healthcare services but also integrates education, research, and community empowerment to create sustainable change.• Adults• Children (up to the age of 18)• Local communities• Healthcare workers and students• Community Health Clinics: Oering screenings, consultations, and referrals for common health concerns, with a focus on NCDs, mental health, and preventive care.• Training and Capacity Building: Providing workshops, mentorship, and hands-on clinical training for healthcare students, community health workers, and professionals.TARGET GROUP(S)ACTIVITIES• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Engaging medical doctors, nurses, social workers, and researchers to develop holistic healthcare interventions.• Health Promotion and Outreach: Conducting awareness campaigns, workshops, and support groups focused on mental well-being, nutrition, and healthy lifestyles.• Research and Innovation: Using community-based participatory research (CBPR) to co-design health solutions and inform policies.• Volunteerism and Community Engagement: Involving students and professionals in service-learning projects and community-driven initiatives.In many communities, people living with diabetes struggle to access care, education, and support. The GREAT Project meets people where they are — bringing services, knowledge, and hope to the heart of their daily lives.

Page 11

1111OUTCOMES & METRICS CHALLENGES AND LESSONS LEARNED• Improved Access: Communities gain access to preventive and specialist healthcare services not widely available in the public sector.• Enhanced Training: Students and healthcare workers receive practical training, strengthening their expertise in community-based care.• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Stronger partnerships between health professionals, academics, and community leaders improve service delivery.• Community Impact: Increased awareness and management of chronic diseases, improved mental health support, and strengthened community resilience.Barriers Faced:• Limited access to mental health and NCD management services in underserved communities.• Sustainability concerns, particularly regarding funding and resource allocation.• Coordination challenges in integrating multiple disciplines and sectors.Lessons Learned:• Community-driven models enhance sustainability by fostering local ownership and participation.• Embedding training programs within service delivery improves both community health outcomes and professional education.• Interdisciplinary collaboration leads to more holistic, eective interventions.“Before the GREAT Project, we didn’t have easy access to mental health support. Now, I feel like we have a safe space to talk about our challenges." – COMMUNITY MEMBERFor more information, please contact Prof R Mash

Page 12

12SOCIAL IMPACT INITIATIVESCreating safe, supportive spaces for young people with HIV strengthens emotional resilience, treatment adherence, and long-term well-being.Buddy’s Support Group at FAMCRU DEPARTMENT OF PAEDIATRICS AND CHILD HEALTHFAMILY CENTRE FOR RESEARCH WITH UBUNTU (FAMCRU)STRATEGIC THEME:Food Security and HealthSocial Justice Education for All2024 SU SOCIAL IMPACT INDIVIDUAL AWARDMs Tembela Boyana, a social worker at the Family Centre for Research with Ubuntu (FAMCRU), developed a culturally sensitive, considerate and supportive method to disclose HIV status to young children. The process typically begins around the age of seven, and rst involves preparing parents or caregivers. Impressively, none of the 120 children assisted with disclosure have experienced issues such as rejection of families, depression, conict with their parents or worsening adherence. In 2017, Ms. Boyana launched The Buddy’s Group – an adolescent peer support program for approximately 80 young people aected by HIV. The group has had a profoundly positive impact, empowering adolescents, providing education, and helping them develop a hopeful and resilient outlook on living with HIV.• Children and adolescents with HIV• Community Support: Conducting comprehensive psycho-social assessments of patients, their families, and caregivers, and providing holistic psycho-social support. This includes guiding families through the process of disclosing HIV status to children in a compassionate and age-appropriate manner.• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Working with a multidisciplinary team to assess the psycho-social wellbeing of participants and delivering appropriate interventions when needed.• The Buddy’s Group: Peer support group program for adolescents aected by HIV, held every third Saturday of the month. Participants receive emotional support, HIV education, treatment adherence guidance and information on pre-and post-exposure TARGET GROUP(S)ACTIVITIES“This is where I feel at home” – BUDDY PARTICIPANT

Page 13

13HIV prophylaxis. # I have a dream is the daily slogan, grounded in self-love , self-respect and self-control. The group also engages in innovative activities, including: o Creating a Hero Book: Each child creates a 14-chapter Hero Book over 10 sessions, serving as the author, narrator, and publisher. The process helps participants connect with their inner heroes, recognize their strengths as individuals living with HIV, learn about their communities, and identify challenges within their society. o A Series of Letters: The group is guided in writing a series of personal letters — including Dear HIV, Dear ART, Dear Mama, Dear Doctor, Dear HIV-negative Child, Dear Teacher, and Dear Future. This exercise helps adolescents express vulnerability, process emotions, release self-blame, and build emotional resilience. The nal letter, addressed to the future, encourages a shift in mindset from fear of death toward hope and possibility. o Empowering HIV Status Disclosure: Supporting adolescents in disclosing their HIV status to family and friends. Recent discussions have included the use of social media as a platform to share their stories, fostering condence and ownership of their narratives.OUTCOMES & METRICS• Improved Psycho-Social Wellbeing: Improved emotional well-being of children and families aected by HIV through ongoing psycho-social support. • Better Health Outcomes: Enhanced treatment adherence, low viral load cases and its easy-to-get hold of participants when we need them to enrol for another new study.• Community Impact: Reducing HIV stigma in communities.• Increased Condence and Empowerment: Educating, motivating, restoring, empowering, and instilling a positive attitude in a child who is living with HIV.CHALLENGES AND LESSONS LEARNEDBarriers Faced:• While there is enthusiasm to attend the Saturday sessions, only 20 of the 80 participants can be accommodated per group.Lessons Learned:• HIV positive children want to be treated the same as HIV negative children – they want to be understood. While HIV treatment itself is not an issue, social circumstances that include family conicts often contribute to adolescents/young adults defaulting on their medication. For more information, please contact Ms T BoyanaZuzu’s StoryZuzu, who was born with HIV, disclosed her status on TikTok, where her content received 1.6 million views and overwhelmingly positive feedback – 54 users commented supportively, and there were no negative comments. She joined the Buddy’s group at age 9 and is now 18 years old. “Assisting a family with disclosure is crucial. Allowing them to express their feelings about their own HIV positive status before full disclosure to their children is equally important. I’ve realized that before one can disclose to a child who was born with HIV, it is important to empower and educate the mothers as well, providing them with coping mechanisms. Support groups for children born with HIV are very important because they instill a positive outlook on life; the children don’t see themselves as dierent from others.” – SOCIAL WORKER

Page 14

14SOCIAL IMPACT INITIATIVESThe Better Evidence and Formulations for Improved MDR-TB Treatment for Children (BENEFIT Kids) project is a collaborative eort dedicated to researching and accelerating the adoption of innovative MDR-TB treatment regimens and prevention methods for children of all ages, to reduce illness and death among this vulnerable population. The Unitaid-funded BENEFIT Kids Project is an example of research for impact done at the DTTC – producing the newest evidence in MDR-TB research in children WITH communities and working with a community advisory board (CAB) to share ndings on wide platforms. The Better Evidence and Formulations for Improved MDR-TB Treatment for Children (BENEFIT Kids)DEPARTMENT OF PAEDIATRICS AND CHILD HEALTHDESMOND TUTU TB CENTRE (DTTC) STRATEGIC THEME:Food Security and HealthSocial Justice Education for AllImproving access to child-friendly MDR-TB treatment saves lives and ensures that vulnerable children are not left behind in the ght against TB.• Research and Innovation: o Implementation of a taste-test study to determine the best-tasting formulations for children receiving treatment for drug-resistant TB. Recommendations have been adopted by manufacturers and children will now receive better tasting treatment. o The groundbreaking TB CHAMP trial ndings showed the safety and ecacy of levooxacin to prevent MDR-TB in children (the rst evidence of this kind). The study ndings received global recognition and were shared widely (~50 media events/publications).• Knowledge Translation: o The DTTC was integral to the creation and launch of the 2023 WHO Roadmap ACTIVITIEStowards ending TB among children and adolescents (3rd addition). o Six videos were produced and shared widely to showcase the design and ndings of the various studies included under the BENEFIT Kids umbrella.• Publications and Conferences: o Publication of a series of articles in the International Journal of TB and Lung Disease, including a manuscript on community perspectives on TB research priorities for children. o Attendance at the World Conference on Lung Health in Paris France (2023). This included 7 oral presentations and a satellite session with an added focus on community experiences. o Ciara Goslett (TB survivor and former DTTC and BENEFIT Kids CAB member) had three community-perspectives presentations at The Union Conference.For more information please visit the website2024 SU SOCIAL IMPACT TEAM AWARD

Page 15

Page 16

16SOCIAL IMPACT INITIATIVESRestoring movement and strength through tailored physiotherapy enables children to lead more active, empowered lives.Paediatrics Exercise Clinic (PEC)DEPARTMENT OF PAEDIATRICS AND CHILD HEALTHDEPARTMENT OF EXERCISE, SPORT AND LIFESTYLE MEDICINEDIVISION OF MOVEMENT SCIENCE AND EXERCISE THERAPYSTRATEGIC THEME:Food Security and HealthSocial Justice Education for AllThe Paediatrics Exercise Clinic (PEC) is a social-impact partnership between the Department of Paediatrics and Child-Health and the Division of Movement Science and Exercise Therapy. Its goal is to improve access to physical activity education and movement and exercise therapy for children with conditions related to rheumatology, immunology and neurology. The PEC has a two-part approach: one aspect takes place at least once a week at Tygerberg Hospital during specic condition clinics (rheumatology, immunology or neurology, including neurodevelopmental) where paediatric patients can receive biokinetics-related services, including evaluation and education on physical activity, movement and exercise interventions. Part two takes place at the Movement lab at the Division of Movement Science and Exercise Therapy in Stellenbosch, where patients can participate in specialized exercise interventions in a small group setting twice a week with the clinicians and honours students at the division. Beyond delivering much-needed biokinetics care in the public health sector, the PEC also conducts research, fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, builds clinical capacity and enriches student training.

Page 17

17• Adults• Children (up to the age of 18)• Civil society organizations (NGOs, CBOs, faith-based organizations)• Communities• Clinics & Exercise Therapy: Oering paediatric and biokinetics services (evaluation, education and exercise/movement interventions) for children with rheumatological, immunological and neurological conditions, as well as specialized exercise/movement interventions.• Promoting Physical Activity for Chronic Condition Management: Educating individuals on the importance of physical activity, how it can be benecial to chronic conditions and how to implement it.• Training and Capacity Building: Hands-on clinical training for students and clinicians.• Research: Investigating evidence-based exercise interventions and evaluation methods, as well as barriers to–and benets of–physical activity of children with rheumatoid, autoimmune, and neurological conditions.• Volunteerism: Involvement of volunteer biokineticists to support service delivery.• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Learning and collaborative opportunities for biokinetics students and interns with other healthcare students, interns/doctors-in-training and providers/clinicians, such as Kinderkineticists and Paediatric doctors part of the Tygerberg Paediatrics units for Rheumatology, Immunology, and Neurology.TARGET GROUP(S)ACTIVITIESOUTCOMES & METRICS• Improved Access: Public health sector gains access to specialist services and facilities.• Health Promotion & Behaviour Change: Encourage communities to change their poor health habits into healthier lifestyles with better knowledge of how to manage their conditions as well as prevent secondary conditions through exercise. • Enhanced Training & Professional Development: Deliver students who are enquiring, and engaged in communities, as well as well-rounded and dynamic clinical exercise therapists. Translate the needs of our local communities into the classroom. • Research for Impact: Develop research ideas which address real-world issues in our communities and result in MSc as well as PhD projects with publications. • Enhanced Training: Community Impact: Empower community members so that they will be able to implement sound evidence-based knowledge and educate other community members.• Partnerships & Resource Mobilisation: Generate awareness and funding from other avenues and community partners. For more information, please contact Prof K Welman

Page 18

18SOCIAL IMPACT INITIATIVESISEM Clinic at Tygerberg HospitalDEPARTMENT OF EXERCISE, SPORT AND LIFESTYLE MEDICINE INSTITUTE OF SPORT AND EXERCISE MEDICINE CAMPUS HEALTH SERVICESTRATEGIC THEME:Food Security and Health Education for AllSpecialist endocrine support ensures that children with complex conditions receive the care and education they need to thrive.The ISEM Clinic at Tygerberg Academic Hospital provides specialist sports medicine services to the community, ensuring access to expert care for sports-related injuries. Operated by Sports Physicians from the Institute of Sport and Exercise Medicine (ISEM) and Campus Health Services, the clinic also serves as a teaching platform for the Masters in Sports and Exercise Medicine program and undergraduate medical students. The initiative combines medical consultations, rehabilitation services, and clinical training, addressing gaps in public healthcare and equipping future sports physicians with critical skills.• Adults• Children (up to the age of 18)• Local communities• Specialist Clinics: Provision of medical and sports injury consultations in collaboration with the Orthopaedics Department.• Training Platform: Clinical training for students enrolled in the Masters in Sports Medicine program.• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Integration of physiotherapy services for comprehensive sports injury management.TARGET GROUP(S)ACTIVITIES• Volunteerism: Involvement of volunteer physiotherapists and medical sta to support service delivery.OUTCOMES & METRICS• Improved Access: Community members gain access to specialist sports medicine services not typically available in public healthcare settings.• Enhanced Training: Students receive hands-on clinical training, improving their expertise in sports medicine.• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Strengthened partnerships between physiotherapists, medical practitioners, and academic sta to provide holistic care.• Community Impact: Promotion of physical health and rehabilitation, reducing the burden of non-communicable diseases related to sports injuries.

Page 19

19CHALLENGES AND LESSONS LEARNEDBarriers Faced:Physiotherapist perspective: • Many athletes and patients experienced prolonged pain and dysfunction due to factors like access issues, waiting times, and academic schedules before reaching the clinic and physiotherapist.• Physiotherapy was also limited to availability of time to volunteer.Sports physician perspective: • Long waiting times at radiology mean that patients often need to be rebooked at a subsequent clinic to evaluate their x-rays. This is frustrating for patients and sta as clinics are on alternative weeks, so only 2 opportunities per month.• Issues regarding access to laboratory results and requesting and viewing x-rays persist, despite attempts to resolve them. This wastes valuable time.• The speciality eld of sports and exercise medicine is not widely understood by other departments. Therefore, the lab / radiology queries the relevance of our investigations as they cannot understand why an orthopaedic surgeon (which is where our clinic sits) wants to know electrolyte levels e.g. in fatigue of an athlete or a brain CT scan in a complicated concussion where the patient is deteriorating. However, these are critical functions/roles of a sports and Exercise Medicine specialist.• The same referral form as the dept of orthopaedics is used for the referral to our clinic. It leaves out critical information which we need. Often the referring practitioner enters their own email address incorrectly which makes it dicult for us to obtain the missing information.Lessons Learned:• Early referral enables timely feedback to stakeholders. Additionally, a dedicated physiotherapy team member with allocated rehab time and space would enhance the eectiveness of rehabilitation sessions.• The necessity of a dedicated physio for the duration of the entire clinic is critical for our functioning."Rehabilitation initiatives are crucial, as many athletes and patients face long-term pain and dysfunction with limited management options. As a physiotherapist at the Tygerberg Physio Clinic, working within a multidisciplinary team allowed me to contribute time and resources to long-term rehabilitation and improve communication between stakeholders. This initiative highlights the need to integrate conservative, rehabilitative, and patient-centered approaches into the continuum of care. This was done with close consultation and collaboration with specialist sport physicians." – JOHN DE KLERK, PHYSIOTHERAPISTFor information, please contact Dr JH Kirby"In addition to providing a much-needed service for the patients it treats, the ISEM clinic provides a fantastic learning opportunity for us as students of the faculty. We are exposed to a variety of conditions, some common and others less so, whilst having the guidance of experienced clinicians who are always willing to teach. It gives us a wonderful practical opportunity for learning and also allows us to help in service provision to a group of patients who need it." – DR JOHN MACKAY, MSC SEM STUDENTCommunity members served 42Hours of clinical training provided68Student participants in curricular & volunteer roles (excl. MBChB students) 3Volunteer physiotherapists involved 1IN NUMBERS…≈

Page 20

20SOCIAL IMPACT INITIATIVESDEPARTMENT OF EXERCISE, SPORT AND LIFESTYLE MEDICINEDIVISION OF SPORT SCIENCESTRATEGIC THEME:Food Security and HealthSocial Justice Education for AllDiSEM Football Medicine ClinicBy combining sport and health screening, this clinic builds healthy habits and uncovers silent health risks in at-risk youth.Since April 2023, the Division of Sports Medicine (DiSEM) has been organizing weekly volunteer sports medicine clinics targeting football players who lack access to sports medicine services. Initially focused on youth players from partnering football academies, the clinic expanded in 2024 to include players from a partnering women’s football team. This initiative provides healthcare access to players without adequate resources and helps future clinicians specializing in Sport and Exercise Medicine gain experience addressing health problems specic to adolescent and female athletes. The clinic integrates clinical care, capacity building, and research, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and contributing to gender equality in sports medicine.

Page 21

21• Adults• Children (up to the age of 18)• Specialist Clinics: Weekly volunteer sports medicine clinics for youth and women football players.• Capacity Building: Capacity building for postgraduate students and sta specializing in Sport and Exercise Medicine.• Research and Innovation: Data collection for research projects on health issues in adolescent and female athletes.• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Engaging partnering football academies, women’s football teams, and the Division of Sport Science.• Volunteerism: MSc Sport and Exercise Medicine students volunteering their time for clinical services and research. Sta and students volunteer hours and subject expertise in Sport and Exercise Medicine.TARGET GROUP(S)ACTIVITIESOUTCOMES & METRICS• Improved Access: Increased access to quality medical advice and care for players without existing resources.• Capacity Development: Capacity development for postgraduate students and postdoctoral research fellows.• Research Outputs: Development of research projects investigating risk factors and health outcomes in adolescent and women football players.• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Enhanced collaboration with the Division of Sport Science on research and clinical activities.CHALLENGES AND LESSONS LEARNEDBarriers Faced:• Limited resources for expanding services and addressing the diverse health needs of players.Lessons Learned:• Importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing health challenges, and the value of integrating research with service delivery to ensure sustainability.For more information, please contact Dr Eirik Wik

Page 22

22SOCIAL IMPACT INITIATIVES22Framing Mobility: Frame Running for People with DisabilitiesDEPARTMENT OF EXERCISE, SPORT AND LIFESTYLE MEDICINEDIVISION OF SPORT AND EXERCISE MEDICINE Framing Mobility is a social initiative focused on making frame running accessible to individuals with disabilities in South Africa. Frame running is a physical activity that uses an assistive three-wheeled device, enabling participants to experience the joy of movement, improve health outcomes, and enhance social engagement. The programme provides essential equipment and creates inclusive weekly activity groups in Cape Town, Helderberg, and Stellenbosch. It also serves as a registered social impact project and research platform at Stellenbosch University, integrating engaged teaching, learning, and community-based research to benet participants and enhance student training in adapted physical activity.• Adults and children with disabilities• Civil society organizations (NGOs, CBOs, faith-based organizations)• Local communities• Community Activity Groups: Organizing trial days to introduce frame running to individuals with disabilities. Providing training and equipment to participants.• Training and Capacity Building: Training students in adapted physical activity.• Collaborative Research: Conducting research co-created with participants.• Volunteerism and Community Engagement: Establishing weekly activity groups led by volunteers.TARGET GROUP(S)ACTIVITIESAccess to adaptive sports fosters inclusion, condence, and joy in people with mobility impairments.STRATEGIC THEME:Food Security and Health Social JusticeEmployment and Inclusive Economic Development

Page 23

2323OUTCOMES & METRICSCHALLENGES AND LESSONS LEARNED• Improved Access: Expanded access to frame running for individuals with disabilities.• Enhanced Training and Research: Increased capacity for training and research in adapted physical activity.• Promoting Inclusive Sporting Opportunities: Development of adapted sport programmes in South Africa• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Enhanced collaboration between Stellenbosch University and societal partners. o Partnerships established include Frame Running Scotland, ACE Race Running, Pitreavie Frame Running, Scotland, University of Edinburgh, Queen Margaret University, Scotland.Barriers Faced:• Importing donations from Europe and the cost of starting adapted programmes in a resource-constrained environments is dicult and only possible with support from institutions like SU, who believe in the vision of creating equitable opportunities in South Africa.Lessons Learned:• Building an international network of supporters and base of collaborators in SU and South Africa will be key to delivering this project - patience and determination are very important to success in these innovative projects.For more information, please contact Dr P Runciman“Framing Mobility is an exciting opportunity to merge sociological thought with the real-world applications of exercise medicine in a South African context.” – BRETT ACAR, KEY COLLABORATOR, FACULTY OF ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES“As a Biokineticist, I believe frame running will allow more people with disabilities to participate in exercise and gain the health benets from participation. I am very excited to work with Framing Mobility and pursue my PhD in frame running” – LIZANNE ANDRAG, PHD STUDENT IN PREPARATION FOR REGISTRATION100+hours of engagement by the Framing Mobility teamIN NUMBERS

Page 24

24SOCIAL IMPACT INITIATIVES24SOCIAL IMPACT INITIATIVESDEPARTMENT OF EXERCISE, SPORT AND LIFESTYLE MEDICINEDIVISION OF MOVEMENT SCIENCE AND EXERCISE THERAPYSTRATEGIC THEME:Food Security and HealthSocial Justice Education for AllCommunity Health and WellnessPreventive health outreach strengthens community knowledge, access, and control over their own health outcomes.We oer physical activity opportunities to adults with disabilities in communities across the Western Cape. Sessions, held once to twice a week for an hour, are run by a biokineticist, biokinetics students and trained community members. Our group-based exercise programmes target key components of health-related tness, including cardiorespiratory endurance, muscle strength and endurance, exibility, and functional exercises to support daily living activities. Where needed students oer individualised support to participants who need help completing full ranges of motion. Beyond structured sessions, we host fun participant-led activities – such as quad rugby and aerobics – and oer educational talks on managing chronic and secondary conditions, stress reduction, and related health topics. Collaborating with local NPO’s allows us to deliver a more holistic service to our beneciaries. • Adults• Civil society organizations (NGOs, CBOs, faith-based organizations)• CommunitiesTARGET GROUP(S)• Structured Group Exercise Sessions: Provision of physical activity sessions for people with disabilities.• Health Promotion: Supporting physical and mental well-being through educational talks.• Training and Capacity Building: The initiative oers student learning and training opportunities.• Volunteerism and Community Engagement: Involving biokinetics students and professionals to collaborate with and uplift community members.ACTIVITIES• Improved Access: Community members with disabilities gain access to expert exercise therapy.• Community Impact: Greater awareness and improved prevention and management of chronic conditions, secondary health issues, and mental well-being.• Enhanced Training: Biokinetics students and trained community members strengthen their expertise through hands on learning, with annual health testing and monitoring feeding into research outputs.OUTCOMES & METRICSFor more information, please contact Dr C Vermaak

Page 25

Page 26

26SOCIAL IMPACT INITIATIVESDEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND REHABILITATION SCIENCESDIVISION OF PHYSIOTHERAPYSTRATEGIC THEME:Food Security and HealthSocial Justice Education for AllResources and InfrastructureCommunity Based Rehabilitation Projects in the Cape Metropole and Cape WinelandsRehabilitation in low-resource settings bridges the gap between need and access, restoring dignity and independence.A series of community-based rehabilitation (CBR) initiatives implemented across communities within the Cape Metropole (Bishop Lavis) and the Cape Winelands (Stellenbosch, Witzenberg, Langeberg, Breede Valley). These projects followed the World Health Organisation (WHO) CBR guidelines and specically aimed to improve healthcare access for people with disabilities through a three-phase approach: 1. Situational Analysis; 2. Analysis and Planning; 3. Implementation.• Adults• Children (up to age 18)• Elderly (age 65 and older)• Communities• Training and Capacity Building: Providing training sessions to patients, community health workers, nursing sta, and rehabilitation professionals across sites. • Health Promotion and Outreach: Developing and distributing educational materials.• Health Systems Development: Development of patient registers, implementation of health information systems, and integration with local health services.TARGET GROUP(S)ACTIVITIESOUTCOMES & METRICS• Improved Access: Better healthcare for community members with disabilities, specically those with mobility impairments related to a range of health conditions including non-communicable diseases, spinal cord injury and stroke. • Enhanced Learning: Students and healthcare workers receive practical training, strengthening their expertise in community-based rehabilitation.• Community Impact: Increased awareness and education of people living with disabilities through educational resources.• Improved Health Information Systems: Enhancing healthcare delivery and manage-ment by providing better access to data. • Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Partnerships established with the local health service (Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness), community health workers, and various community-based non-prot organisations (Right to care (Stellenbosch), Changeability (Stellenbosch) and NorSA community care (Witzenberg)).

Page 27

27CHALLENGES AND LESSONS LEARNEDBarriers Faced• Continuity of the projects is inuenced by the short duration of student rotations within the community. Care was taken to ensure sustained stakeholder engagement throughout the process, however at times there were challenges in this regard. Important environmental factors (physical environment, accessibility and safety) inuenced the success of one initiative in particular and will need to be accounted for in future initiatives.Lessons Learned• Students learn through being immersed in communities and developing and sustaining relationships with key community members.• An empowerment approach that leverages the existing strengths of community health workers can improve access to health services for people with disabilities.• Stakeholder engagement throughout the lifecycle of the project is crucial. Stakeholder engagement should be sustained.• From a monitoring and evaluation perspective considerable attention was given to input and output indicators across these initiatives. These should be expanded to include outcome and impact indicators.For more information, please contact Mr CR ReardonIN NUMBERS…Community Voices:Hierdie sio ding werk. Baie dankie.”– COMMUNITY MEMBER, PERSON WITH DISABILITY“Thank you for the training. I surely will be practising that in my community and in my home.” – COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERStudent Perspectives: “Being able to go out and oer rehabilitation services…gave me the opportunity to act as a student of change.”“This experience has truly prepared me for the challenges and responsibilities that lie ahead in my career.”Total sessions conducted: 17Total people trained:Resources distributed: 99373Educational pamphlets developed: Patient registers developed: Student hours: Sta hours:1323300 125 TRAINING SESSIONSEDUCATIONAL RESOURCESHEALTH INFORMATION SYSTEMSHOURS OF ENGAGEMENT

Page 28

28SOCIAL IMPACT INITIATIVESDEPARTMENT OF BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES DIVISION OF MEDICAL PHYSIOLOGYSTRATEGIC THEME:Food Security and HealthSocial Justice Education for AllOpen Doors to Future PossibilitiesEarly exposure to careers in health and science can ignite aspirations and change life trajectories for youth in underserved communities.Open Doors to Future Possibilities / “Open Doors” is a community engagement programme between the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the Tygerberg campus of Stellenbosch University and Voorbrug Senior Secondary School in Delft. This initiative allows high school learners from disadvantaged communities to visit the Faculty of Medicine and Health Science’s Department of Biomedical Sciences at the Biomedical Research Institute (BMRI). The aim is to inspire potential career opportunities in medicine and health sciences , allow for mentoring opportunities and for learners to gain knowledge about health topics relevant to everyday life. • Children (up to the age of 18)• Communities• Community Collaboration: Engaging with the community partner to align visit objectives, ensure learner availability and organise logistics.• Hosting Learners: In October 2024, learners from Voorbrug Senior Secondary School, accompanied by the Life Sciences subject head, visited the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the BMRI. Sta and students from the Divisions of Clinical Anatomy and Medical Physiology hosted the visit, which included job shadowing TARGET GROUP(S)ACTIVITIESopportunities in the laboratories. Learners met scientists, observed experiments, and engaged in hands-on activities such as using microscopes and participating in basic lab experiments related to their Life Sciences curriculum. The visit also featured a campus tour and attendance at the annual Physiology Symposium alongside second-year Nursing students. During the symposium, students presented on everyday health topics, with learners encouraged to ask questions and engage in discussion.

Page 29

29OUTCOMES & METRICS• Community Collaboration: Fostering mutual engagement and shared goals.• Inspiring Science Careers: Learners gain valuable insight into various career paths within Biomedical Science by observing laboratory operations and participating in hands-on practical activities.• Knowledge Transfer: Presentations by students on health topics such as heart disease, lung disease, and diabetes help raise awareness and promote health education.• Student Professional Development: Undergraduate and postgraduate students enhance their presentation skills while learning to connect their academic work to real-world community health challenges.CHALLENGES AND LESSONS LEARNEDBarriers Faced• A need for greater input from the community partner and challenges aligning with school timetables.• Limited nancial resources and availability of stakeholders.Lessons Learned• Community collaboration is key to the growth and success of the initiative.• In response to declining learner interest in Life Sciences and Mathematics, early career mentoring and targeted workshops for Grade 8 learners are needed.• Strengthening the initiative and expanding its reach requires pursuing fundraising opportunities and enhancing stakeholder capacity.For more information, please contact Dr S WindvogelIN NUMBERS≈125learners reached to date

Page 30

30SOCIAL IMPACT INITIATIVESDEPARTMENT OF BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES DIVISION OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND HUMAN GENETICSSTRATEGIC THEME:Food Security and HealthSocial Justice Education for AllEmployment and Inclusive Economic DevelopmentRare Disease Genomics Research GroupUncovering the genetic roots of rare diseases oers hope, clarity, and potential treatment paths for families often left without answers.Rare Diseases aect approximately 400 million people globally and an estimated 4.2 million people in South Africa, yet this community of patients and families remains largely “invisible.” Sadly, the genetic testing needed to oer this South African patient group diagnoses is not generally accessible in the public healthcare sector; thus, the 1000+ patients enrolled in the Undiagnosed Disease Programme don’t face insurmountable diagnostic challenges, but rather systemic inequities that hinder access to essential genetic testing. This leaves patients and families grappling with stigma, isolation and a long, painful journey towards diagnosis. The Rare Disease Genomics research group’s multidisciplinary team includes experts in medicine, bioinformatics, social science and health economics (amongst others), all of which work collaboratively to diagnose and support the rare disease (and undiagnosed) community.2024 SU SOCIAL IMPACT TEAM AWARDACTIVITIES• Adults• Children (up to the age of 18)• Civil society organizations (NGOs, CBOs, faith-based organizations)• Communities TARGET GROUP(S)• Clinics (medical)• Counselling• Research• Advocacy• The Undiagnosed Disease Programme (UDP): As the rst programme of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa, the UDP was established by the head of the Rare Disease Genomics Research Group, Prof. Shahida Moosa, and is committed to transforming the landscape of healthcare by ensuring that genetic testing is accessible to everyone, regardless of their background. By bridging existing gaps, the programme empowers patients to obtain the diagnoses they urgently need, paving the way for eective treatment and improved quality of life. 42%diagnostic rate by the UDP in Sub-Saharan Africa,compared to the global average rate of 30% Watch to find out more about #28DaysofRare

Page 31

31• Improved Access• Increased Awareness• Reduced Stigma• Knowledge Translation• Interdisciplinary CollaborationOUTCOMES & METRICS• Rare Disease Month: The group’s advocacy campaign, centred around Rare Disease Month in February, raises awareness on the Stellenbosch and Tygerberg campuses. Activities are aimed at raising awareness of the spectrum of Rare Diseases in South Africa. Rare Disease Month highlights: o Cupcake Fundraiser: Cupcakes were sold every week during Rare Disease Month, each one topped with a unique rare-disease ag and providing some information about the disease. o Rare Talent for Rare Disease Concert: A benet evening at Endler Hall featuring an exciting lineup of dancers and musicians, all donating their time and oering up their talent in support of rare disease patients and families. o Rare Disease Charity Auction: Artworks by the registrar in medical genetics, Dr. Cumine van Tonder. Her beautiful pieces, combining human anatomy and nature, were up for auction throughout the month as another means by which to raise awareness and funds to support the rare disease community.• Ongoing Advocacy and Recognition: Further advocacy reaches beyond local bounds, and includes TV, podcast and radio interviews, both locally and internationally. The group also contributes to the broader academic conversation with ongoing academic publications highlighting the lack of data, both quantitative and qualitative, on African populations. Year-round social media eorts also keep the conversation alive, working to dismantle stigma and foster a supportive community for those aected by rare diseases.For more information, please contact Prof MoosaPublicationsSouth Africans with rare diseases still being left behind#RareDiseaseAwareness InterviewsSUN podcast: Shining a light on rare diseasesRadio Sonder Grense (RSG)Social MediaRare Disease Genomics YouTube channel Charity auction artwork by Cumine van TonderRare Diseases Month cupcake saleRare Talent for Rare Diseases concert

Page 32

32SOCIAL IMPACT INITIATIVESDEPARTMENT OF BIOMEDICAL SCIENCESDIVISION OF MEDICAL PHYSIOLOGYSTRATEGIC THEME:Food Security and HealthEducation for AllResources and InfrastructureMitoSAKen: Promoting Cardiovascular Health Through Community Engagement The MitoSAKen research group, at Stellenbosch University’s Centre for Cardiometabolic Research in Africa (CARMA) in the Division of Medical Physiology, has actively engaged in social impact initiatives that bridge scientic research with community health improvement. In collaboration with the University of Nairobi, the team investigates the role of mitochondria in cardiometabolic disease among people living with and without HIV. The South African cohort is recruited from the Worcester community and surrounding areas.On September 25th, 2024, the MitoSAKen team hosted an impactful outreach event at Esselen Park Senior Secondary School in Worcester. This initiative aligned with CARMA’s and the Division of Medical Physiology’s ongoing commitment to social engagement and aimed at enhancing community understanding of cardiovascular health, promoting preventative care practices and strengthening ties with study participants and the broader Worcester community.Empowering communities with cardiovascular health knowledge can prevent lifelong disease and reduce premature deaths.

Page 33

33• Multilingual Educational Presentations: Delivered talks in English, Afrikaans, and Xhosa explaining the cardiovascular system’s functions and emphasized practical lifestyle implementations to prevent heart disease.• Hands-On Learning Stations: Interactive activities, such as the “human heart model” and a blood pressure monitoring demonstration, provided participants with a practical understanding of heart health.• Heart-Health Quiz and Q&A: Facilitated a fun heart health quiz followed by a question and answer session.• Community Collaboration: The event showcased collaboration between researchers, educators, healthcare workers and community members. A local catering business from the community provided lunch, further emphasizing community support. Key contributors, which included the research nursing practitioner and her assistant from the healthcare clinic where study participants are recruited and assessed, were important in ensuring the event’s success.ACTIVITIES OUTCOMES & METRICS• High Community Engagement: Over 150 attendees, including recruited study participants, their families, and friends.• Enhanced Cardiovascular Knowledge: The event promoted cardiovascular health awareness and provided educational tools, improving the community’s understanding of maintaining a healthy heart. • Strengthened Community Ties: Stronger partnerships between the MitoSAKen team, study participants, and the Worcester community. Stronger partnerships achieve shared objectives in health education and community development.CHALLENGES AND LESSONS LEARNEDLessons learned:• Continuous engagement is integral to maintaining impact.• The “hands-on” approach to learning and real-life demonstrations were eective in explaining complex health concepts.• Stronger partnerships achieve shared objectives in health education and community development.For more information, please contact Prof H Strijdom Looking ahead, the MitoSAKen group’s aims include:• Sustaining impact through continuous engagement.• Developing multilingual educational materials.• Integrating practical and digital tools to enhance engagement. • Potentially expanding outreach to neighbouring communities.

Page 34

34SOCIAL IMPACT INITIATIVESDEPARTMENT OF BIOMEDICAL SCIENCESDIVISION OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND HUMAN GENETICSSTRATEGIC THEME:Food Security and HealthEducation for AllEmployment and Inclusive Economic DevelopmentParkinson’s Awareness and Discovery Days for You (PADDY)Raising awareness of Parkinson’s disease promotes earlier diagnosis, better care, and reduced stigma for patients and caregivers.The Parkinson’s Awareness & Discovery Days for You (PADDY) initiative aims to address the lack of understanding and support for Parkinson’s disease (PD) in South Africa through educational events and research collaboration. PADDY seeks to raise awareness, support research, revitalize support groups, and engage students in social impact activities. With support from multidisciplinary research partners and societal organizations, PADDY aims to increase awareness, empower students through practical experience, and strengthen PD support networks. PADDY also aims to secure external funding and establish long-term partnerships for sustainability, fostering ongoing support and advocacy for Parkinson’s disease awareness and research in South Africa.• Adults• Business/Industry• Civil society organizations (NGOs, CBOs, faith-based organizations)• Communities• Elderly (age 65 and older)• Government: Municipal, National and ProvincialTARGET GROUP(S)• Educational & Awareness Events: PADDY organises three key events: o Small activity on World Parkinson’s Disease Day (April) o Research Day (September) o Public Awareness Day (November)These events will involve interactive sessions, presentations, and engagement with the PD community and researchers.• Interdisciplinary Research Collaboration: Collaborative eorts between two research groups at Stellenbosch University: o Movement Laboratory (Stellenbosch campus) – focus on exercise interventions to improve motor control, coordination, and cognition and investigates the eect of rehabilitative exercise interventions as treatment modalities for individuals with movement disorders, with a special interest in Parkinson’s disease. o Parkinson’s disease Research Group (PDRG) (Tygerberg campus) – focus on ACTIVITIES

Page 35

35OUTCOMES & METRICS• Community Impact: Increased awareness and management of PD and providing practical tips for living with Parkinson’s disease in the community.• Enhanced Training: Students are empowered through practical experience.• Strengthened Support Groups: Revival and engagement of Parkinson’s support groups for sustained community impact.For more information, please contact Prof Soraya Bardiengenetic causes and curcumin as a possible therapeutic agent.Despite their dierent areas of research, these two groups will collaborate on all aspects of this initiative and will combine forces for a common goal – to raise awareness about Parkinson’s disease and the importance of research to improve the lives of people with this condition.• Support Group Revival: Track the activation and engagement levels of revitalized Parkinson’s support groups. This is monitored through regular meetings and feedback from group leaders.• Volunteerism and Community Engagement: Involving students in social impact activities.• Training and Capacity Building: Providing holistic training for students.

Page 36

36SOCIAL IMPACT INITIATIVESDEPARTMENT OF GLOBAL HEALTH INSTITUTE FOR LIFE COURSE HEALTH RESEARCH (ILCHR)STRATEGIC THEME:Food Security and HealthSocial JusticeResources and InfrastructureSafety, Security and Good GovernanceILCHR: Masiphuhlisane Community Research Centre CABSSupporting community-led research ensures that health interventions are relevant, ethical, and rooted in lived experience.Engaging with communities is a useful way to ensure that planned health research activities are appropriate, equitable and valuable. One way of doing this is bring together a community advisory board (CAB) - a diverse group of people selected to represent and share their opinion on a research target group (eg. children and adolescents) or research study (eg. substance use or TB). A CAB puts the power of how research is done into the hands of the community where the research is being conducted, and can form a vital link between local communities and a research project’s goals. While the Institute for Life Course Health Research (ILCHR) is based at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences in Bellville, much of our primary research is conducted at our Masiphuhlisane Community Research Centre (MCRC) in Khayelitsha. During 2024, in an eort to ensure our research is more inclusive, just and equitable, we established two permanent community advisory boards (CABs) at the MCRC. These CABs help ensure that the aims and activities of our research projects reect the needs of the communities within which ILCHR works, and protects the human rights and ethical interests of our research participants. • Adults• Children (up to the age of 18)• Local communitiesTARGET GROUP(S)• Establishment of Community Advisory Boards (CABs): Set up two permanent CABs (one for adolescents, one for adults) at the Masiphuhlisane Community Research Centre (MCRC). • CAB Member Recruitment: Members were recruited from groups and organisations representing the MCRC’s surrounding communities. They are people who work in the communities where we conduct research and are respected as traditional leaders in these areas. Members are also representatives of religious institutions, civil society organisations (NGO’s, NPO’s, Street Committees, neighbourhood watch) and marginalised communities (LGBTQI+, Disability, Foreign Nationals).ACTIVITIES

Page 37

Members of the Institute for Life Course Health Research (ILCHR) team and the adult Community Advisory Board meet at the Masiphuhlisane Community Research Centre in August 2024.• Quarterly Round-Table Discussion Forums: Quarterly conversations with the CAB members around the beliefs and cultural norms of the community that can aect our research processes (i.e. recruitment, informed consent, assessments, interviews etc.). and the various aspects of the proposed research, such as the research design, the eects on the geographical area of the research setting, and any potential risks posed by the proposed research, especially for vulnerable populations, and how to minimise these.• Collaborative Research: CAB members make valuable contributions to the research process, such as developing our ways of working, reviewing our proposed research procedures and implementation, and how to share the research ndings.37For more information, please contact Ms KL GemmellOUTCOMES & METRICS• Enhanced Relevance & Equity: Research projects better align with local community needs and priorities.• Empowered Community Participation: Community CAB members inuence research decisions and processes.• Inclusive Representation of Marginalised Voices: Engaging members from diverse and underrepresented groups ensures that research is more equitable and inclusive.• Strengthened Partnerships: Building long-term relationships between ILCHR and the Khayelitsha community.CHALLENGES AND LESSONS LEARNEDLessons learned:• In 2025, our short-term goal is to continue to engage regularly and meaningfully with CAB members. We plan to hold a reection and feedback session for the two CABs to show how their input has shaped ILCHR research projects and to discuss their experiences and suggestions for improvement.

Page 38

38SOCIAL IMPACT INITIATIVESEquipping youth with knowledge about reproductive health protects futures and promotes gender equity.In 2024, the HAPPY project was developed as a social impact collaborative initiative involving the Stellenbosch University Division of Health Systems and Public Health, the Stellenbosch University Visual Arts Department, the local community health promotion ocers, the Bishop Lavis and Elsies River community health clinics, the Department of Health, the Department of Education, Safe Schools, SAPS trauma center and the Principals and representatives of Nooitgedacht Primary School, Bergsig Primary School and Elnor Primary School. This project came about because of pilot programme which was conducted in 2022 at Rosewood Primary School in Bishop Lavis. It was here that the problem of pre-teen pregnancy was highlighted and there was an identied need for more education to try and prevent the increasing number of pre-teen learners who are becoming pregnant and seeking abortions. The HAPPY project is a four-phase project which has currently surpassed phases one and two with phases three and four being approached in 2025. Phase one was a community mapping exercise which involved the visual arts students going to a school to do an interactive session with the learners where they drew portraits of each other and talked to the learners about the topics to be covered in the 6-week programme to ascertain any questions they may have. Phase two included a 6-week programme for learners at three dierent schools in Cape Town covering six topics. Phase three and four, which will take place in 2025, focuses on a caregiver workshop that will include all questions posed by the pre-teens and a creative health festival. Holistic Approaches for Preventing Pregnancy in Youth (HAPPY Project)DEPARTMENT OF GLOBAL HEALTHDIVISION OF HEALTH SYSTEMS AND PUBLIC HEALTHDEPARTMENT OF VISUAL ARTSSTRATEGIC THEME:Social JusticeEducation for AllSafety, Security and Good Governance

Page 39

39• Pre-teens• Caregivers• Community membersTARGET GROUP(S)• Pre-teen Pregnancy Awareness and Education: o Six week intervention programme o Caregiver workshop to guardians of the pre-teens who were targeted o Community mapping exercises with the visual arts students• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Collaborative eort between Stellenbosch University (Division of Health Systems and Public Health; Visual Arts Department), community clinics and health promoters, government departments (WCED, WCDH), SAPS and participating schools.ACTIVITIESOUTCOMES & METRICS• Community Impact: Knowledge translation that will promote health and development.• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Cultivated partnerships with community and government stakeholders.Partnerships Established: o Safe Schools (WCED) o Western Cape Department of Health o South African Police Services≈40Hours of engagement with studiesIN NUMBERSCHALLENGES AND LESSONS LEARNEDBarriers Faced: • Liaising with the allocated schools regarding times which were suitable for the schools and the health promotors involved. • Learner engagement for both males and females as well as communication with caregivers.Lessons Learned: • Based on the evaluation it was clear that the topics covered would have been better received if the girls and boys were separated and had targeted aspects of the topics.“Most of the topics that we spoke about I didn’t really know in the beginning of it and now I know more.“ – STUDENT INVOLVED IN THE SIX WEEK PROGRAMME AT ONE OF OUR SCHOOLSFor more information, please contact Prof Lynn Hendricks

Page 40

40SOCIAL IMPACT INITIATIVESDEPARTMENT OF SURGICAL SCIENCESCENTRE FOR GLOBAL SURGERYSTRATEGIC THEME:Food Security and Health Social JusticeResources and InfrastructureSafety, Security and Good GovernanceEmpowering Youth to Address Alcohol-related Injury in Rural Eastern Cape “eNgqamakhwe” Two community-based organizations, Abanebhongo and Siphumelele, supported by the Centre for Global Surgery at Stellenbosch University, have been actively working to lay a solid foundation for the project’s launch. Empowering youth to address alcohol-related injury involves a multifaceted approach rooted in community support. Since Social Impact Funding approval, eorts have been focused on establishing support structures in each of the 8 targeted villages. Meetings were held in November and December 2024. Collaborative meetings and discussions with the Department of Agriculture, Fire and Rescue Services, and the Amathole Extended Public Works Program (EPWP) took place in December and January to co-ordinate capacity building workshops. A complete schedule of training workshop and other activities for the next six months is being nalized. ACTIVITIESFor more information, please contact Dr K Tshabalala

Page 41

Page 42

42SOCIAL IMPACT INITIATIVESCentral Karoo District InReachFrom 15–23 September 2024, Stellenbosch University’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS) collaborated with the Central Karoo Health Services (WCG: H&W), UWC Dental Faculty, and the NGO Africa20Twenty to execute a series of impactful initiatives under the InReach project. This collaborative event focused on patient care, clinical training, volunteerism, and fostering partnerships with civil society and public health and education sectors.• Cataract surgery: There was a 3-year waiting list of 123 patients requiring cataract surgeries. We managed to clear the list with 94 successful cataract removals • Dental Health services: Both adults and children were assisted with extractions and restorative care. • Health professionals: Local health professionals also beneted from advanced training essential to their roles in developing the next generation of health professionals.• Clinical Trainers Capacity Development: o PoCUS – point of care ultrasound workshop – critical for rural professionals o CAT – clinician as trainer workshop • University Sta volunteerism and capacity development: o SU academic sta and support sta o UWC academic sta and support sta • Clinical Training for Students: o SU: Specialists in training – participate in the cataract initiative o SU: Undergraduate 3rd and 5th year medical students – learning and training in rural settings o UWC: Undergraduate dental students – participate in dental procedures TARGET GROUP(S) ACTIVITIESSTRATEGIC THEME:Food Security and HealthSocial JusticeEducation for AllSafety, Security and Good Governance2024 SU SOCIAL IMPACT TEAM AWARDProviding life-changing cataract surgeries and dental care while enabling hands-on learning for healthcare students.“Serve as you learn”VICE DEAN: TEACHING AND LEARNINGVICE DEAN: CLINICAL SERVICES AND SOCIAL IMPACT Watch how InReach is impacting communities

Page 43

43Beneciaries reached 249Cataracts94 Dental procedures 249 IN NUMBERS…OUTCOMES & METRICS• 249 Dental Procedures: Consisting of 457 extractions and additional dental interventions.• 94 Cataract Surgeries: Reducing the long waiting list in the Central Karoo area.• Continuous Professional Development Workshops: Conducted Clinician as Teacher (CaT) and Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) workshops with 15 local health professional participants.• Stakeholder Engagement: Collaboration between Central Karoo Health Services; SU FMHS; NMU Medical Scholl of Medicine; UWC Dental Faculty; Africa 20Twenty; Al-Imdaad Foundation; George Regional Hospital; Pathcare.CHALLENGES AND LESSONS LEARNED• Barriers Faced: Resources especially nancial; lack of school involvement. • Lessons Learned: Commitment of sta to be innovative and strengthen relationships. For more information, please contact Therese Fish“Some of the cataract patients have been on the list for three or four years because we haven’t been able to help them. Now we’ve practically cleared the list. It’s phenomenal. The patients are so grateful.” – DR ALBIE VAN ROOY, CLINICAL MANAGER FOR BEAUFORT WEST HOSPITAL

Page 44

442024 Social Impact Awards1ST ROUND: We received a total of 27 nominations for this round. INDIVIDUAL AWARDSProf Eileen Africa – KIDSMoveProf Eileen Africa received this award in recognition of KIDSMove, an initiative aimed at improving gross motor skills of foundation phase children. The programme focuses on developing children with a variety of challenges holistically through movement. Gross motor development and sport specic skills form the core components of the programme. Africa said the award was a huge surprise. “I feel honoured to receive it and I will continue to serve the communities in and around Stellenbosch." She thanked her team and students. TEAM AWARDSDesmond Tutu Tuberculosis Centre (DTTC) –Focused on paediatric tuberculosis and HIV prevention, the DTTC has taken on several key initiatives through an interdisciplinary approach to address health issues in communities. The Centre is recognised as a global leader in paediatric tuberculosis research and operates from the premise that grassroots research must never be underestimated; including working with communities and investigations into the everyday challenges of people infected and aected by TB and HIV. The Social Impact Awards are a distinguished honour presented by Stellenbosch University to recognise the remarkable achievements in social impact by our academic and professional administrative support services (PASS) sta.The SU Social Impact Award is the highest honour granted by the university community to sta for outstanding contributions to social impact. Social Impact is embedded in our identity and has become an integral part of who we are and what we do.These awards recognise the consistent contributions of our colleagues to the advancement of society. They celebrate the enduring relationships we have cultivated with external stakeholders beyond our university walls. They are a testament to the fact that social impact is a collective endeavour between university and societal partners across various spheres of life.We acknowledge social impact in two distinct categories:1. Team award: In this award category, the SU sta member or SU team of sta members can receive the award. The funding related to the award may be utilised towards the strengthening of the initiative.2. Individual award: This award is designed to honour an exceptional team leader and their external partners who have played a pivotal role in an initiative. In this award category, the SU team leader and external partner may determine how best to utilise the funding related to the award.

Page 45

452ND ROUND: We received a total of 31 nominations for this round. INDIVIDUAL AWARDSTembela Boyana – Family Centre for Research with UbuntuTembela Boyana from the Family Centre for Research with Ubuntu (FAMCRU), situated in Department of Paediatrics and Child Health at SU’s Tygerberg campus, was honoured for developing and supporting a culturally sensitive, considerate and supportive method to disclose their HIV status to young children. TEAM AWARDSRare Disease Genomics Research Group Led by Prof Shahida Moosa, Head of Medical Genetics at Tygerberg Hospital and SU’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS), the Rare Disease Genomics Group received a Social Impact Team award for their invaluable contributions to transforming healthcare through genetic testing accessibility and rare disease advocacy.Central Karoo InReach Dr Therese Fish, Vice-Dean: Clinical Services and Social Impact at the FMHS and Prof Karin Baatjes, FMHS Vice-Dean: Learning and Teaching, received a joint award for the InReach Central Karoo project. The initiative was designed to address the backlog in cataract surgeries and dental services in the Garden Route and Central Karoo Districts.

Page 46

46Conclusion The 2024 Social Impact Report reects the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences’ continued commitment to advancing health equity through meaningful, community-engaged partnerships. In a context where health disparities remain deeply rooted, the contributions of universities—working collaboratively with communities, civil society, and government—are vital to addressing these complex challenges.Throughout the report, we see examples of how social impact is embedded across our education, research, and healthcare activities. These initiatives demonstrate not only technical expertise, but a growing commitment to inclusivity, responsiveness, and co-creation with those most aected by health inequities.This edition marks an intentional shift toward more human-centred storytelling. By integrating reections, quotes, and community perspectives, the report aims to foreground the lived realities that shape and drive our work. It is a step toward making social impact more visible, grounded, and accountable to those it seeks to benet.Looking forward, FMHS remains dedicated to strengthening and expanding these eorts. We believe that sustainable and meaningful health impact is only possible through equitable partnerships, shared decision-making, and valuing diverse forms of knowledge.To all students, sta, community partners, and collaborators: thank you for your commitment, creativity, and resilience. The future of health equity depends not only on what we do, but on how we do it—together.Sincerely, Stacey BlowsSocial Impact CoordinatorFaculty of Medicine and Health Science

2024 FMHS Social Impact Report

Page 1

Page 2

Page 3