City of Joburg takes cancer campaign to Slovoville

The City of Johannesburg’s Department of Health (DoH) and Pick Drive hosted a community wellness day to honour World Cancer Day at the Slovoville Recreation Centre on February 4.

Community members received free health services like mammograms, pap smears, breast examinations, prostate-specific antigen testing, lung function assessments, blood pressure and haemoglucotest screenings, HIV/Aids testing and antiretroviral therapy.

Deputy minister of Health Joe Phaahla, the city’s MMC for Health and Social Development, Ennie Makhafola, the CEO of Pink Drive, Noelene Kotschan, and representatives from the Japanese Embassy were among the attendees.

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Phaahla emphasised the importance of early detection and timely treatment in combating cancer.

“The DOH provides screening for breast, cervical, and prostate cancer. The introduction of the HPV vaccine for pupils will help curb cervical cancer in the long term,” he said.

He acknowledged the challenges of SA’s health system, including insufficient equipment and infrastructure, long queues at public health facilities and inadequate funding.

The event saw strong attendance from community members, who seized the chance to assess their health.

“Slovoville is on the outskirts of Soweto, and residents greatly appreciate the chance to access services that would normally require them to travel long distances,” said Ward 53 Clr Ntshavheni Mutavhatsindi.

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The theme for World Cancer Day 2025-2027, ‘United by Unique’, was highlighted.

“This theme reminds us that everyone affected by cancer has a unique journey, yet together, through unity and collaboration, we can create a world where cancer is no longer a life-threatening burden,” said Makhafola.

According to the 2022 National Cancer Registry report, the five most common cancers in SA are breast, prostate, cervical, lung, and colorectal cancers.