The Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) Dietetics Department recently held a series of events to mark World Breastfeeding Week, engaging with communities across multiple platforms, including primary healthcare (PHC) training clinics, the University campus, and a local media house. The activities were led by Dietetics lecturers and students, highlighting the department’s commitment to promoting maternal and child health.
World Breastfeeding Week is observed globally to raise awareness about the significance of breastfeeding and the vital role it plays in child development and maternal health. It is a week where health professionals, institutions, and communities come together to promote, protect, and support breastfeeding. SMU’s Dietetics Department has consistently participated in this international observance, organising educational and outreach activities aimed at both the public and the university community.
Recently, the department hosted a campaign on the University premises led by senior lecturer Dr Cornelia Phetla, targeting staff and students alike. The initiative involved approaching members of the university community while walking around campus to provide them with information on breastfeeding practices, benefits, and support mechanisms. The campaign deliberately targeted the general university community, emphasising that breastfeeding is a shared responsibility and not solely a concern for women.
“Breastfeeding is a public health priority; everyone has a role to play, not just the breastfeeding mother. said one of the Dietetics lecturers, Ria Mehlape. “By engaging both men and women, students and staff, we aim to create an informed community that supports breastfeeding mothers and encourages healthier early childhood development.”
The activities extended beyond the campus environment. At various PHC training clinics in Ga-Rankuwa, Soshanguve and Hammanskraal, final year dietetics students and lecturers interacted with patients and healthcare staff, providing practical demonstrations and educational material on breastfeeding. These sessions included discussions on proper nutrition for both mother and child, managing breastfeeding challenges, and addressing common misconceptions about infant feeding.
The department also collaborated with SMU FM to extend the reach of the campaign. Ntsako Mboweni, a newly appointed lecturer in the department, together with third-year Dietetics students, shared key messages on the benefits of breastfeeding, nutritional guidance, and the importance of community support. This media engagement ensured that the awareness drive reached a broader audience, including members of the surrounding communities who may not be directly connected with the University.
Students involved in the campaign described the experience as both educational and rewarding. “Participating in World Breastfeeding Week allows us to apply our classroom knowledge in real-world settings,” said Dimakatso Makgai, a 3rd-year dietetics student. “It also helps us develop communication and advocacy skills that are essential for our future careers as healthcare professionals.”
Notably, the involvement of Mboweni, a male lecturer, in promoting breastfeeding encouraged greater participation from male students in the campaign.
Through these initiatives, SMU Dietetics not only commemorates World Breastfeeding Week but also underscores its commitment to community health, student engagement, and practical learning. The department aims to continue such outreach programmes, fostering a culture of awareness and support that extends beyond the University and into the broader public.
By involving the University community and local healthcare networks, SMU’s Dietetics Department demonstrates that breastfeeding promotion is a collective effort that requires the participation of families, educators, healthcare professionals, and society at large.
By Tumelo Moila
