Clear vision for Cape Town learners

To help more learners see the world clearly, AfroCentric partnered with non-profit organisation Vision 4 Change to launch the “Vision is Vital” campaign in November.

For our Fitment Day at the Silverleaf and Dunoon primary schools in Cape Town, we provided free prescription spectacles to learners who needed them. This followed the free eye testing and screening that took place in October.

“Many learners struggle with eyesight ailments but don’t have access to vision care,” says Palesa Makhetha, General Manager: Group Marketing and Corporate Affairs. “Unfortunately, the cost of eyecare makes it inaccessible to millions of South Africans, and our schoolgoing youth are the ones who suffer most. We are honoured to partner with Vision 4 Change in this significant initiative to give our learners vision.”

Without access to the right screening and treatment, sight impairments affect children’s reading, learning and overall performance at school. Ultimately, this has dire consequences for the country’s unemployment rate.

“As the AfroCentric Group, we have always taken pride in our commitment and ability to enable access to quality, affordable healthcare. Whether we do it by innovating new products or services or by empowering our communities, we transform healthcare,” Palesa says.

“Our belief is that when it comes to health coverage, no one should be left behind,” she says. “Today is an embodiment of that belief and I am hopeful that one day in the future, these young people that I am looking at today will be the leaders of an inclusive health system.”