Rhiza Holdings proudly facilitated the relaunch and official handover of a low‑cost Primary Health Care clinic to Sr Mbalenhle Nene on Thursday 21 May 2026. This as the Health Department, government and local taxi officials and the community gathered at the Orange Farm United Taxi Association (OFUTA) conference venue to witness the significant milestone.
The Mpathy clinic which forms part of Rhiza Ventures is strategically located at the Orange Farm Taxi Rank and has been intentionally positioned to ensure maximum accessibility for the surrounding community. By operating within a major transport hub, the clinic is able to reach commuters, workers, families, and other community members who may otherwise face barriers to accessing healthcare.
The location also provides taxi drivers with convenient and timely access to healthcare services, aligning with the realities of their working conditions where time is always of the essence. Men, who are often less likely to seek routine health check‑ups, are better able to access care through the clinic’s proximity, allowing for quick consultations without long waiting times. This approach supports early intervention, reduces the burden of long queues at public facilities, and encourages preventative healthcare practices within the community.
The facility offers affordable Primary Health Care services, addressing the growing need for accessible, community‑based healthcare in underserved areas. Services are aimed at supporting prevention, early intervention, and basic healthcare needs, contributing to improved health outcomes and reduced pressure on public healthcare facilities. The relaunch marks a significant milestone, symbolizing both continuity of care and the empowerment of local healthcare leadership through the formal handover of the clinic to Sister Nene, an experienced and trusted healthcare practitioner within the community.
Speaking on the occasion, Linda Dunkley, a representative from Rhiza Holdings stated that; “This handover reflects our commitment to building sustainable, community‑centred healthcare solutions. By placing this clinic at the Orange Farm Taxi Rank, we are meeting people where they are- making healthcare accessible, affordable, and dignified.”
Addressing the audience, the decorated Sister Mbali with immense experience of many years in primary healthcare expressed her appreciation for the handover and the opportunity with, to continue serving the Orange Farm community and thanked OFUTA for affording them the space and working together delivering affordable, meaningful healthcare services. She further mentioned that, “my dream came true for me to one day establish a clinic and with this medical centre we’re closing the gap in serving our communities. Healthcare is a shared responsibility, we need all support from all our stakeholders and partners.”
City of Joburg Deputy Director for HAST Programme Makobo Gaegake stated that; “We launch the clinic handover under Rhiza as one of our partners service providers having a Service Level Agreement with the health department. Health as a custodian bears the responsibility that even the private sector is has to run with government guidelines and practices streamlined cohesively in one direction. We previously conducted and outreach to work with taxi associations in reaching out to men to access medical services as they are often unable to visit clinics because of their work demands. Working with OFUTA here we created a successful model having a structure inside the taxi rank which creates more sustainability unlike the mobile clinic, and we look forward to grow to more locations as we work with more associations. Nurses’ duties cater for all-round aspects in administering care for patients.”
The representative from Mpathy clinics and Rhiza Holdings, Lerato Seheri mentioned that, “the induction of Sister Nene is significant having launched the clinic back in 2025 and having worked at Stretford clinic speaks volumes of her work in this community. Empathy clinics are linked to an empowerment model where we move nurses to Nursepreneurs consequently becoming owners of clinics. In the process they go through compliance to ideal clinic standards with the support of Mpathy network of clinics to effectively run the Primary healthcare facility. The clinic, conveniently positioned within the taxi rank, is the 1st of its kind where drivers can come in quickly and consult saving time to go back to their taxi duties.” She concluded.
The clinic is now fully operational and open to the public, continuing its mission to serve as a vital health access point for the Orange Farm community.
Jerry Sokhupe
Soweto Sunrise News
