{"id":43958,"date":"2024-12-05T11:14:44","date_gmt":"2024-12-05T09:14:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/beauty-queens-journey-to-healing-her-community-20241204\/"},"modified":"2025-03-21T14:31:39","modified_gmt":"2025-03-21T12:31:39","slug":"beauty-queens-journey-to-healing-her-community-20241204","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/beauty-queens-journey-to-healing-her-community-20241204\/","title":{"rendered":"Beauty queen\u2019s journey to healing her community"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Ashleigh Nyiki-du Plessis, a registered nurse by profession and the Mrs Nelson Mandela Bay 2024 title holder, is turning her passion and dedication into tangible change within her community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her recent achievement in opening a private clinic in Kariega, under the name uMama Nami Wellness and Home-based Health Services, is an extension of her commitment to addressing and bridging the healthcare gaps for the underprivileged in the Kariega community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe inspiration to open my clinic stemmed from my early days in Primary Health Care,\u201d she explained. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn 2012, as I embarked on my career, it became evident that there was an overwhelming need for healthcare services, surpassing the resources available. This disparity often resulted in lengthy queues, with patients spending countless hours seeking medical attention. Many, despite needing medical care, were deterred by the time required to access these services.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nyiki-du Plessis identified this critical gap and sought to fill it with uMama Nami, a progressive health service that expands access to healthcare by offering both on-site and home-based services. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur clinic caters specifically to women and children,\u201d she said. \u201cWe focus on providing essential services like women\u2019s health, children\u2019s vaccinations, and now, through home-based health services, we have broadened our reach to mothers or elderly patients unable to travel to our facilities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To ensure the affordability of these vital services, uMama Nami has partnered with the Department of Health to supply state-sponsored vaccines and family planning resources. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through this collaboration, Nyiki-du Plessis said costs for services will be reduced, making essential vaccinations accessible at a fraction of the usual market price. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor instance, a mother might pay thousands for a child\u2019s vaccines privately. Our partnership enables us to offer these at far more reasonable rates, ensuring no mother has to forgo vaccinations.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

uMama Nami\u2019s broad spectrum of services includes antenatal care, family planning, and reproductive health services, all geared towards empowering women to take control of their health. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur well-baby clinic not only vaccinates but also monitors growth and development,\u201d she highlighted. \u201cWe aim to catch growth issues early, preventing long-term health problems that can affect cognitive development and learning potential.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"beauty

<\/p>\n

The beauty queen has opened uMama Nami Wellness and Home-based Health Services to bridge the healthcare gaps for the underprivileged in the Kariega community.INSET: Making a positive impact in the lives of her community members has always been close to Ashleigh Nyiki-du Plessis\u2019 heart.<\/div>\n
<\/span> Photos: SUPPLIED<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\"\"

<\/p>\n

To ensure the affordability of vital services, uMama Nami has partnered with the Department of Health to supply state-sponsored vaccines and family planning resources. <\/div>\n
<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\"\"

<\/p>\n

The clinic caters specifically to women and children. <\/div>\n
<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

To continue her journey of giving back to her community, especially the underprivileged who are vulnerable, Nyiki-du Plessis initiated a campaign for free growth monitoring, deworming, and vitamin A distribution for children under five, addressing gaps caused by poverty and malnutrition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cVitamin A supports immunity, growth, and vision, crucial for children unable to receive these nutrients from their diet alone. Our campaign ensures they have these nutrients, preventing illnesses like blindness.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the beauty queen looks to the future, plans are underway to expand services to treat minor ailments in children from 2025. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cChildren\u2019s health can decline more rapidly than that of adults\u2019. By serving them separately from adult patients, we aim to provide swift, effective care.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A particularly exciting venture for Nyiki-du Plessis is planning free health education sessions for primary school girls. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWomen empowerment starts young. Understanding one\u2019s body and the menstrual cycle should not only be about personal care, but also about confidence and empowerment. I aspire to create safe spaces for dialogue and education, incorporating aspects of teen pregnancy prevention.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She noted that while the clinic faced initial hurdles in raising awareness about its services, strategic social media campaigns and community engagement have increased their reach. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur community\u2019s warming reception is heartening, and with continued awareness efforts, we hope to serve more people effectively.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking ahead, Nyiki-du Plessis has ambitious plans for the clinic\u2019s future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The introduction of home-based carer placements for the elderly and those with special needs showcase her dedication to thoughtful, comprehensive healthcare. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBy tailoring care plans and involving family, we ensure that our most vulnerable are respected and cared for with expertise and dignity.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Ashleigh Nyiki-du Plessis, a registered nurse by profession and the Mrs Nelson Mandela Bay 2024 title holder, is turning her passion and dedication into tangible change within her community.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":43965,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_linkdex":"","_yoast_wpseo_content_score":"","_yoast_wpseo_inclusive_language_score":"","_yoast_wpseo_is_cornerstone":"","_yoast_wpseo_canonical":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image-id":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image-id":"","newspack_ads_suppress_ads":false,"newspack_sponsor_sponsorship_scope":"","newspack_sponsor_native_byline_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_native_category_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_style":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_placement":"inherit","_crsspst_to_novanewscoza":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozabloemnewsexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozacityvision":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozadistrictmailhelderberg":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaeikestadnuus":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozahermanustimes":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozakomani-karoo":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozakougaexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozamthathaexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozanoordkaapbulletin":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozapaarlpost":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozapeexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozapeoplespost":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaswartlandgazette":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozatygerburger":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozavistanews":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozavrystaatkroon":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaweskusnuus":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaweslander":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaworcesterstandard":false,"_eb_attr":"","_EventAllDay":"","_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":"","_EventShowMapLink":"","_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":"","_EventVenueID":"","_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":"","_VenueShowMapLink":"","_application":"","_batch_id":"","_company_name":"","_company_tagline":"","_company_twitter":"","_company_video":"","_company_website":"","_custom_id":"360e1e6a-bd39-4ca4-a7d9-12b1d892a9eb","_EventDuration":"","_EventOrigin":"","_EventTimezoneAbbr":"","_featured":"","_filled":"","_job_expires":"","_job_location":"","_media_credit":"","_media_credit_url":"","_menu_item_menu_item_parent":"","_menu_item_object":"","_menu_item_object_id":"","_menu_item_target":"","_menu_item_type":"","_menu_item_url":"","_menu_item_xfn":"","_navis_media_can_distribute":"","_navis_media_credit_org":"","_OrganizerOrigin":"","_provider":"","_pum_built_in":"","_pum_default_theme":"","_pum_form_conversion_count":"","_remote_id":"","_remote_name":"","_remote_position":"","_report_frequency":"","_report_reference_dates":"","_send_attempts":"","_site_id":"","_sitemap_exclude":"","_sitemap_frequency":"","_sitemap_priority":"","_source_url":"","_subscription_period":"","_subscription_period_interval":"","_subscription_price":"","_tec_slr_enabled":"","_tec_slr_layout":"","_template_type":"","_ticket_end_date":"","_ticket_start_date":"","_tribe_aggregator_allow_multiple_organizers":"","_tribe_aggregator_content_type":"","_tribe_aggregator_file":"","_tribe_aggregator_finalized":"","_tribe_aggregator_hash":"","_tribe_aggregator_import_id":"","_tribe_aggregator_import_name":"","_tribe_aggregator_interactive":"","_tribe_aggregator_origin":"","_tribe_aggregator_post_status":"","_tribe_aggregator_preview":"","_tribe_aggregator_source_name":"","_tribe_aggregator_type":"","_tribe_default_ticket_provider":"","_tribe_hide_attendees_list":"","_tribe_rsvp_for_event":"","_tribe_ticket_capacity":"","_tribe_ticket_header":"","_tribe_ticket_show_description":"","_tribe_ticket_show_not_going":"","_tribe_ticket_version":"","_type":"","_VenueOrigin":"","_wp_attachment_context":"","_wp_attachment_image_alt":"","_wp_font_face_file":"","_wp_old_date":"","_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes":"","_yoast_wpseo_focuskeywords":"","_yoast_wpseo_focuskw_text_input":"","_yoast_wpseo_keywordsynonyms":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_block-catalog":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_job_listing_type":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_nova_retailer":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_publication":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_tribe_events_cat":"","_yoast_wpseo_videositemap-duration":"","_yoast_wpseo_videositemap-rating":"","_menu_item_classes":[],"_tribe_modified_fields":[],"_wp_attachment_backup_sizes":[],"_wp_suggested_privacy_policy_content":[],"_yoast_post_redirect_info":[],"_yoast_wpseo_video_meta":[],"activation_date":"","archive_insertion_is_repeating":"","archive_insertion_posts_count":"","article_feature_media":"","article_feature_type":"","article_main_image_caption":"","article_media_icon":"","article_template":"","author_byline":"Nkosazana Ngwadla","background_color":"","block_editor":"","byline":"","cmplz_hide_cookiebanner":"","competition_end_date":"","contact_advertise_email":"","contact_advertise_phone":"","contact_editorial_email":"","contact_general_email":"","contact_general_phone":"","contact_office_hours":"","contact_physical_address":"","enabled":"","featured_image_custom_caption":"","featured_video_url":"","fields":"","font_body":"","font_header":"","frequency":"","headline":"","hide_border":"","icon":"","is_wp_suggestion":"","issuu_download_url":"","issuu_embed_url":"","language_version_url":"","large_border":"","name":"","nm_contact_name":"","nm_contact_number":"","nm_date_lost":"","no_overlay_background":"","node-url":"","obituary_born_date":"","obituary_died_date":"","obituary_memoriam_text":"","origin":"","overlay_color":"","overlay_opacity":"","overlay_size":"","placement":"","plural_label":"","post_author":"","post_id":"","post_language":"en","secret-key":"","sponsored_utm_campaign":"","sponsored_utm_content":"","sponsored_utm_medium":"","sponsored_utm_source":"","sponsored_utm_term":"","start_date":"","utm_suppression":"","video_embed_url":"","wp_pattern_sync_status":"","data_version":[],"enclosure":[],"pongrass_image":[],"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_newspack_byline_active":false,"_newspack_byline":"","newspack_content_restriction_is_exempt":false,"scaip_prevent_shortcode_addition":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"newspack_spnsrs_tax":[],"publication":[],"class_list":["post-43958","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\nBeauty queen\u2019s journey to healing her community | UD Express (Uitenhage)<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/beauty-queens-journey-to-healing-her-community-20241204\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Beauty queen\u2019s journey to healing her community\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Ashleigh Nyiki-du Plessis, a registered nurse by profession and the Mrs Nelson Mandela Bay 2024 title holder, is turning her passion and dedication into tangible change within her community.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/beauty-queens-journey-to-healing-her-community-20241204\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"UD Express (Uitenhage)\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/PEExpress1\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-12-05T09:14:44+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-03-21T12:31:39+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/50630520799b4a95aa752849b3dd5d3e.jpeg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"608\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"372\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Nkosazana Ngwadla\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@EP_Media24\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@EP_Media24\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"UD Express\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/beauty-queens-journey-to-healing-her-community-20241204\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/beauty-queens-journey-to-healing-her-community-20241204\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"UD Express\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/e204c6259f59eee600a8578c6fc1f4d6\"},\"headline\":\"Beauty queen\u2019s journey to healing her community\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-12-05T09:14:44+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-03-21T12:31:39+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/beauty-queens-journey-to-healing-her-community-20241204\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":716,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/beauty-queens-journey-to-healing-her-community-20241204\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/50630520799b4a95aa752849b3dd5d3e.jpeg\",\"articleSection\":[\"News\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/beauty-queens-journey-to-healing-her-community-20241204\\\/#respond\"]}],\"copyrightYear\":\"2024\",\"copyrightHolder\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/#organization\"}},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/beauty-queens-journey-to-healing-her-community-20241204\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/beauty-queens-journey-to-healing-her-community-20241204\\\/\",\"name\":\"Beauty queen\u2019s journey to healing her community | UD Express (Uitenhage)\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/beauty-queens-journey-to-healing-her-community-20241204\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/beauty-queens-journey-to-healing-her-community-20241204\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/50630520799b4a95aa752849b3dd5d3e.jpeg\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-12-05T09:14:44+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-03-21T12:31:39+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/beauty-queens-journey-to-healing-her-community-20241204\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/beauty-queens-journey-to-healing-her-community-20241204\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/beauty-queens-journey-to-healing-her-community-20241204\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/50630520799b4a95aa752849b3dd5d3e.jpeg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/50630520799b4a95aa752849b3dd5d3e.jpeg\",\"width\":608,\"height\":372,\"caption\":\"Making a positive impact in the lives of her community members has always been close to Ashleigh Nyiki-du Plessis\u2019 heart. Photo: SUPPLIED\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/beauty-queens-journey-to-healing-her-community-20241204\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"News\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/news\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Beauty queen\u2019s journey to healing her community\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/\",\"name\":\"UD Express\",\"description\":\"To Inform, Engage and Empower Local Communities\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"UD Express\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/uitenhage-despatch-site-icon.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/uitenhage-despatch-site-icon.png\",\"width\":512,\"height\":512,\"caption\":\"UD Express\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/PEExpress1\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/EP_Media24\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/express_newspapers\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/@expressonline3000\\\/videos\"],\"description\":\"UD Express has been the eyes, ears, and voice of the Kariega (formerly Uitenhage) and Despatch communities since 1971, making it the oldest single-title free sheet in South Africa. Established with the goal of keeping our community informed, we have grown into one of the most trusted local news sources in the region, with 30,000 free copies delivered mostly door to door across Kariega, Despatch, and surrounding areas every week.\",\"email\":\"udexpress@novusmedia.co.za\",\"telephone\":\"0+2719925650\",\"legalName\":\"Novus Media (Pty) Ltd\",\"foundingDate\":\"2025-01-01\",\"vatID\":\"4100318916\",\"taxID\":\"2000\\\/018234\\\/07\",\"numberOfEmployees\":{\"@type\":\"QuantitativeValue\",\"minValue\":\"51\",\"maxValue\":\"200\"}},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/e204c6259f59eee600a8578c6fc1f4d6\",\"name\":\"UD Express\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/4337d3a25ac3ba8455c9939374a81adbc30eb5033a750ee59190cfb8f29e6d5d?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/4337d3a25ac3ba8455c9939374a81adbc30eb5033a750ee59190cfb8f29e6d5d?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/4337d3a25ac3ba8455c9939374a81adbc30eb5033a750ee59190cfb8f29e6d5d?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"UD Express\"},\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/udexpress\\\/author\\\/udexpress\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Beauty queen\u2019s journey to healing her community | UD Express (Uitenhage)","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/beauty-queens-journey-to-healing-her-community-20241204\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Beauty queen\u2019s journey to healing her community","og_description":"Ashleigh Nyiki-du Plessis, a registered nurse by profession and the Mrs Nelson Mandela Bay 2024 title holder, is turning her passion and dedication into tangible change within her community.","og_url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/beauty-queens-journey-to-healing-her-community-20241204\/","og_site_name":"UD Express (Uitenhage)","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/PEExpress1\/","article_published_time":"2024-12-05T09:14:44+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-03-21T12:31:39+00:00","og_image":[{"width":608,"height":372,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/50630520799b4a95aa752849b3dd5d3e.jpeg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Nkosazana Ngwadla","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@EP_Media24","twitter_site":"@EP_Media24","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"UD Express","Est. reading time":"4 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/beauty-queens-journey-to-healing-her-community-20241204\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/beauty-queens-journey-to-healing-her-community-20241204\/"},"author":{"name":"UD Express","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/#\/schema\/person\/e204c6259f59eee600a8578c6fc1f4d6"},"headline":"Beauty queen\u2019s journey to healing her community","datePublished":"2024-12-05T09:14:44+00:00","dateModified":"2025-03-21T12:31:39+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/beauty-queens-journey-to-healing-her-community-20241204\/"},"wordCount":716,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/beauty-queens-journey-to-healing-her-community-20241204\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/50630520799b4a95aa752849b3dd5d3e.jpeg","articleSection":["News"],"inLanguage":"en-ZA","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/beauty-queens-journey-to-healing-her-community-20241204\/#respond"]}],"copyrightYear":"2024","copyrightHolder":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/#organization"}},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/beauty-queens-journey-to-healing-her-community-20241204\/","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/beauty-queens-journey-to-healing-her-community-20241204\/","name":"Beauty queen\u2019s journey to healing her community | UD Express (Uitenhage)","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/beauty-queens-journey-to-healing-her-community-20241204\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/beauty-queens-journey-to-healing-her-community-20241204\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/50630520799b4a95aa752849b3dd5d3e.jpeg","datePublished":"2024-12-05T09:14:44+00:00","dateModified":"2025-03-21T12:31:39+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/beauty-queens-journey-to-healing-her-community-20241204\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-ZA","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/beauty-queens-journey-to-healing-her-community-20241204\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-ZA","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/beauty-queens-journey-to-healing-her-community-20241204\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/50630520799b4a95aa752849b3dd5d3e.jpeg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/50630520799b4a95aa752849b3dd5d3e.jpeg","width":608,"height":372,"caption":"Making a positive impact in the lives of her community members has always been close to Ashleigh Nyiki-du Plessis\u2019 heart. Photo: SUPPLIED"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/beauty-queens-journey-to-healing-her-community-20241204\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"News","item":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/news\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Beauty queen\u2019s journey to healing her community"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/#website","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/","name":"UD Express","description":"To Inform, Engage and Empower Local Communities","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-ZA"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/#organization","name":"UD Express","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-ZA","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/uitenhage-despatch-site-icon.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/uitenhage-despatch-site-icon.png","width":512,"height":512,"caption":"UD Express"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/PEExpress1\/","https:\/\/x.com\/EP_Media24","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/express_newspapers\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@expressonline3000\/videos"],"description":"UD Express has been the eyes, ears, and voice of the Kariega (formerly Uitenhage) and Despatch communities since 1971, making it the oldest single-title free sheet in South Africa. Established with the goal of keeping our community informed, we have grown into one of the most trusted local news sources in the region, with 30,000 free copies delivered mostly door to door across Kariega, Despatch, and surrounding areas every week.","email":"udexpress@novusmedia.co.za","telephone":"0+2719925650","legalName":"Novus Media (Pty) Ltd","foundingDate":"2025-01-01","vatID":"4100318916","taxID":"2000\/018234\/07","numberOfEmployees":{"@type":"QuantitativeValue","minValue":"51","maxValue":"200"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/#\/schema\/person\/e204c6259f59eee600a8578c6fc1f4d6","name":"UD Express","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-ZA","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/4337d3a25ac3ba8455c9939374a81adbc30eb5033a750ee59190cfb8f29e6d5d?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/4337d3a25ac3ba8455c9939374a81adbc30eb5033a750ee59190cfb8f29e6d5d?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/4337d3a25ac3ba8455c9939374a81adbc30eb5033a750ee59190cfb8f29e6d5d?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"UD Express"},"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/author\/udexpress\/"}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/50630520799b4a95aa752849b3dd5d3e.jpeg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":266194,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/rosedale-clinic-remains-closed-services-continue\/","url_meta":{"origin":43958,"position":0},"title":"Rosedale Clinic remains closed, services continue","author":"Shanti Jafta","date":"7 August 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Residents of Rosedale expressed concerns about the Rosedale Clinic's closure due to gang violence, highlighting the impact on healthcare access and potential asset theft.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"The Rosedale Clinic closed its doors indefinitely since 17 July, owing to gun violence in the area.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_2485_57272.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_2485_57272.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_2485_57272.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_2485_57272.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_2485_57272.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":43937,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/mayor-calls-for-more-private-sector-support-20241204\/","url_meta":{"origin":43958,"position":1},"title":"Mayor calls for more private sector support","author":"UD Express","date":"9 December 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"A partnership between Cell C and Gift of the Givers recently resulted in the refurbishment of four clinics in Kariega. The clinics are Mabandla Clinic, Park Centre Clinic, Edameni Clinic, and Nomangesi Jayiya Clinic.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/5c586f34dec34ef3af3476c951dd87ca.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/5c586f34dec34ef3af3476c951dd87ca.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/5c586f34dec34ef3af3476c951dd87ca.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/5c586f34dec34ef3af3476c951dd87ca.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/5c586f34dec34ef3af3476c951dd87ca.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/5c586f34dec34ef3af3476c951dd87ca.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":266076,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/rosedale-clinic-closed-owing-to-gang-violence\/","url_meta":{"origin":43958,"position":2},"title":"Rosedale Clinic closed owing to gang violence","author":"Shanti Jafta","date":"31 July 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Rosedale Clinic in Kariega has shut its doors on July 17 indefinitely as escalating gang violence renders the facility too dangerous for both patients and healthcare workers. According to Ward 49 Councillor Georgen Miggels, the area has been rocked by daily gunfire in recent days, with 15 shots fired on\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Photo for illustration purposes.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/doctor-stethoscope.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/doctor-stethoscope.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/doctor-stethoscope.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/doctor-stethoscope.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/doctor-stethoscope.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/doctor-stethoscope.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":266930,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/rosedale-clinic-still-closed-another-turns-away-patients\/","url_meta":{"origin":43958,"position":3},"title":"Rosedale Clinic still closed, another ‘turns away’ patients","author":"Shanti Jafta","date":"11 September 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Over 30,000 residents lack healthcare after Rosedale Clinic's closure due to gun violence. The Department of Health refuses relocation proposals despite community frustrations and unmet needs.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"The Rosedale Clinic closed its doors indefinitely since 17 July, owing to gun violence in the area.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_2485_57272.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_2485_57272.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_2485_57272.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_2485_57272.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_2485_57272.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":43738,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/ec-health-department-beef-up-security-at-clinic-20250219-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":43958,"position":4},"title":"EC Health Department beef up security at clinic","author":"UD Express","date":"20 February 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"OWING to a gang-related shootout that led to the temporary closure of Rosedale Clinic on February 11, the Eastern Cape Health Department has swiftly implemented enhanced safety measures to protect staff and patients.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":263395,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/residents-protest-in-front-of-rosedale-clinic\/","url_meta":{"origin":43958,"position":5},"title":"Residents protest in front of Rosedale Clinic","author":"Shanti Jafta","date":"2 June 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Approximately 100 community members protested at Rosedale Clinic in Kariega over concerns, blocking the entrance until a meeting with the councillor was arranged for discussion.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Photo of generic clinic for illustration purposes.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/create-a-highly-detailed-and-sharp-focused-image-depicting-a-lively.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/create-a-highly-detailed-and-sharp-focused-image-depicting-a-lively.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/create-a-highly-detailed-and-sharp-focused-image-depicting-a-lively.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/create-a-highly-detailed-and-sharp-focused-image-depicting-a-lively.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"UD Express (Uitenhage)","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43958","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/20"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=43958"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43958\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/43965"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=43958"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=43958"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=43958"},{"taxonomy":"newspack_spnsrs_tax","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/newspack_spnsrs_tax?post=43958"},{"taxonomy":"publication","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/udexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/publication?post=43958"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}