LIFE in The Park, a people-centred organisation dedicated to promoting environmental and community health issues, held an informative health workshop at the Merebank Library on July 16.

Also read: Life in the Park project aims to breathe new life into Merebank park

The workshop brought about 40 key stakeholders from Durban South together for an eventful day of discussion and mutual learning. It aimed to highlight the strong interconnections between environmental quality and human health.

Dr. Satchu Annamalai, organiser of Life in The Park, said the heart of the initiative is to empower and bring awareness to environmental and public health. “This is a very neglected area in Durban South and there are still high levels of pollution and related illnesses,” he said.

The event was kicked off by Dr. Lochan Naidoo, director of the Jullo Centre for Advanced Addiction Recovery, who provided a motivating address on how plant, animal, environmental and human health are interconnected. This was followed by an address by Ganges Secondary School’s acting principal Mac Ramraj on the increasingly prominent problem of cyberbullying. He discussed its emotional toll on learners and emphasised the importance of prevention measures as well as increased community awareness.

Anitha Govender of the South Durban Basin Area-Based Management addressed the department’s ongoing commitment to supporting grassroots organisations. Eurakha Singh from eThekwini Municipality reaffirmed their support for Life in The Park’s mission and praised the initiative for taking bold strides in promoting health programmes at the grassroots level.

Dr. Annamalai also established a clear strategy for Life in The Park’s short- and medium-term goals, including measures to bridge gaps in public health awareness and create healthier standards in the community. 

Rene Harry, a librarian at Merebank Library, also spoke on the necessity of using the library services. Irene Taylor Fynn, a community activist, served as the MC and helped keep the audience engaged as well as create meaningful discussions.

“The workshop was primarily to consolidate the long line of partners that have come on board. As was intended, it has now given impetus to launch the ‘Life in the Park’ Health Desk,” said Dr. Annamalai.

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