Page 5 - DUT Showcase Report 2023

IMPROVING LIVES IN THE WARWICK AVENUE MARKETS
Project Team: (Asiye eTafuleni) Patrick Ndlovu | Richard Dobson Email: admin@aet.org.za
The project, integrated into a new teaching approach, involved Homeopathy students in a practical exploration of the Warwick Avenue Markets, guided by Professor Firoza Haffejee and Asiye eTafuleni staff. Students assessed the market’s environmental and health conditions, conducted a needs analysis, and implemented social justice interventions to improve living conditions. They provided gazebos, mattresses, storage containers, and clean-up services while educating vendors on hygiene.This initiative supports DUT’s ENVISION2030 by fostering stewardship, generating new knowledge, promoting sustainability, and engaging students with the community to address local health needs.
IMPACT AND SUSTAINABILITY
Cleaning the environment helped eliminate disease-causing organisms and students advocated for municipal support to sustain
a healthy environment in marginalised communities. Providing mattresses improved sleeping conditions, reducing back pain and mental health issues, while gazebos protected vendors from harsh weather and extended the freshness of produce. The project enhanced teaching by developing students’ problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, and linked to research that will be published, boosting DUT’s research profile. Further funding is sought to address remaining needs, such as additional mattresses, storage containers, and gazebos, and to secure municipal waste disposal services. Continued collaboration with Asiye eTafuleni aims to further improve conditions for Warwick Market traders.
Faculty: Health Sciences
Department: Basic Medical Sciences Project Leader: Professor Firoza Haffejee Email: firozah@dut.ac.za
Mobile: 083 291 8796