MILESTONES
2000- First Wellness Centre established in Beaufort West (N1)
- Two Wellness Centres established in Harrismith (N3) and Beit Bridge Border Post, Musina (N1)
- Programme employs Tertius Wessels
- Three Wellness Centres established in Ventersburg (N1), Tugela (N3) and Port Elizabeth (N2)
- Imperial Logistics and UTI commence sponsorships of these centres
- Two Wellness Centres established in Hanover (N1) and Komatipoort (N4)
- Road Freight Association, in conjunction with the National Bargaining Council for the Road Freight and Logistics Industry (NBCRFLI), sponsors both centres
- First Mobile Wellness Centre introduced into the programme, sponsored by Daimler Chrysler
- Promulgation of Wellness Fund agreement between employers and employees with the road freight industry
- Development of industry specific HIV/AIDS policy
- SIDA begins funding programme
- Mooi River (N3) Wellness Centre established and sponsored by Imperial Logistics
- Themba Mthombeni joins the project
- Establishment of Wellness Centre in Malawi on behalf of North Star Foundation
- Two Wellness Centres established in Zeerust (N4) and East London (N2)
- Two Mobile Wellness Centres and a caravan introduced
- National mobile VCT service introduced into industry an industry first
- Corridor Empowerment Project (CEP) established with industry approval
- Wellness Centre established in Kokstad (N2), sponsored by TNT International
- Establishment of Wellness Centres in Swaziland and Zambia, on behalf of North Star Foundation
- Corridor Empowerment Project (CEP) receives funding from SIDA
- Trucking Against Aids Programme is rebranded as Trucking Wellness
- Marianhill (N3) Wellness Centre established and sponsored initially by CMR. Currently sponsored by Regent Insurance
- Michelle Steyn joins programme as Project Administrator
- Fourth Mobile Wellness Centre introduced
- 881 VCTs conducted
- Attended World AIDS Conference in Mexico and presented programme through a show stand
- Wellness Fund Treatment Programme officially launched
- Two Wellness Centres established in Mthatha (N2) and Colesburg (N1)
- Fifth Mobile Wellness Centre introduced
- National road show introducing Wellness Fund ART programme to industry with the NBCRFLI
- Three members of CEP awarded scholarships by Foundation for Professional Development in HIV/AIDS management
- EMPOWERDEX audited and accredited as B-BBEE provider Project benefits 98% Previously Disadvantaged Individuals (PDI's)
- Two Wellness Centres established in Villiers (N3) and Epping (N1)
- Took over the management of three Imperial on-site Wellness Centres (Gauteng)
- Formalisation of partnership with Mercedes-Benz South Africa through SABCOHA for R3.5 million funding over three years. Formally launched by the South African Minister of Transport, Sbu Ndebele
- Additional funding received from SIDA for R22 million
- Michelle Steyn achieved a Higher Certificate in Management from the Foundation for Professional Development (FPD)
- Tertius Wessels achieved a Certificate in Advanced Healthcare Management from the Foundation for Professional Development (FPD)
- The CEP relocated offices to Super Group Park in Isando
- The CEP purchased 10 additional vehicles to be converted into Mobile Wellness Centres. The ten new Mobile Wellness Centres were launched on 3 June 2011 at Mercedes-Benz South Africa in Zwartkop, Pretoria, and the Ambassador of Sweden was the guest of honour
- An industry-specific HIV policy was re-developed and updated, finalised in April 2011
- The Epping Roadside Wellness Centre was opened, as scheduled, on 11 May 2011 by the South African Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi
- The 22nd Roadside Wellness Centre in Roodekop, Germiston, was formally launched on Tuesday 29 November 2011
- The CEP attended the 5th South African Aids Conference where it presented a poster communicating a summary of the Trucking Wellness programme as an abstract presentation
- Falcorp Technologies implemented an electronic health management system on behalf of the CEP at the first six Wellness Centres as a pilot study
- The CEP was represented at the 26th IUSTI Europe Conference on STIs & HIV/AIDS and the 10th BADV Congress in Riga, Latvia by the National Nursing Manager & Managing Director
- A pilot project was launched which has enabled Trucking Wellness to provide CD4 counts to HIV+ industry personnel in six provinces
- Started helping other companies to manage and mitigate the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic through a variety of governance, assessment, surveillance, planning and monitoring strategies
- Improved current HIV/AIDS, STI and TB information and behaviour change education by providing each Roadside Wellness Centre with an A1 laminated training set
- Implementation of the Wellness Committee
- PIMA machines were provided to all 22 Roadside Wellness Centres
- Established a Peer Education programme within commercial sex worker communities surrounding Wellness Centres, companies and at Wellness Centres themselves
- Re-launch of the Port Elizabeth roadside wellness centre
- HIV counselling and testing course was provided for Mobile Wellness Centre drivers
- Participated in the International World AIDS conference in Washington DC
- Participated in the National Department of Health key populations workshop at the Health Department in Pretoria
- The CEP facilitated a Wellness Centre workshop for all clinical employees
- The Swedish Minister of Finance and his entourage of 30 people, representing members of parliament, the foreign ministry to African counties and Sida, visited the Roodekop Wellness Centre in Johannesburg on Monday 29 October 2012
- Participated in Nelson Mandela Day at the St Anthonys education centre
- Participated in the MBSA winter collection community outreach
- Trucking Wellness and its successes were showcased at the 6th SA AIDS Conference
- TW employees attended the human trafficking workshop at the Good Shepherd Retreat Centre in Hartebeespoort Dam
- TW nurses started attending the PALSA Plus TRAINING Workshop. This year the workshop was held from 29 to 30 January 2013 at Willow Park in Gauteng
- Implementation of Fleet Owner Workplace Wellness Programme with Mercedes Benz South Africa (MBSA)
- MBSA included a module on wellness/health seeking behaviour/disease prevention/basic information into the driver-training programme facilitated at MBSA in Zwartkop, South Africa
- Clinics in Musina, Colesburg, Hanover and Epping were revamped
- Corridor Empowerment Project formed a Public Private Partnership with SACTWU Worker Health Program to enhance Trucking Wellness infrastructure. New M&E data collection tools were developed to report as per Government reporting and distributed to all Roadside Wellness Centres
- Five Ford Rangers and two Mercedes Benz Vitos were purchased for the project and customized with Trucking Wellness Branding
- Finalization of revamped Roadside Clinics: Marianhill, Warden, Villiers, Kokstad, Port Elizabeth, East London and Roodekop completed by July 2016. Trucking Wellness attended the World Aids Conference in Durban from 18 to 22 July 2016. Establishment of Quality Assurance Nurses Committee.
- CEP arranged and paid for 5 nurses to attend a dispensing course (Zeerust, Hanover, Kokstad, Warden and Colesburg) from 29 May to 2 June 2017 which they successfully passed.
- A cloud based capturing system was introduced to the Wellness 2017.
- Trucking Wellness attended the Southern African AIDS Conference in Durban from 13 to 15 June 2017.
- CEP revamped and installed newly developed branding for the Roadside Wellness Clinics.
- Patrick O’Leary from Fleetwatch Magazine was appointed as a Non-Executive Board member.
- Trucking Wellness attended the International AIDS Conference in Amsterdam, Netherlands from 23 to 27 July 2018.
- Trucking Wellness applied for dispensing licenses for all nurses in April 2018.
- Unitrans became a partner of the Trucking Wellness Programme.
- Partnership formed with Fleetwatch Magazine “Your Truck Your Gym”
- Trucking Wellness Celebrated 20 Years.
- Continuous Quality Improvement Activities and in-service training:
- Three nurses participated in a dispensing course facilitated by the Health Science Academy, 25 February to 1 March 2019. A further 3 nurses information was submitted for dispensing licence to the Department of Health.22 Mobile staff participated in a HIV Counselling and Testing quality assurance training facilitated by FPD on 29 & 30 January 2019.
- New coordinator was appointed at Kokstad Clinic on 1 March 2019.
- New Clinic Container was delivered on 5 February 2019 at Mooriver.
- Annual Employee workshop was held from 25 to 28 March 2019.
- Corridor Empowerment Project moved to new premises in February 2020; Lakefield Avenue, Lakefield, Benoni.
- Trucking Wellness assisted Tzu Chi South Africa with delivery of Rice donations to Feed Rural KZN to help under privileged families. The Road Freight Association (RFA) spearheaded the project to distribute rice secured from Thailand through the Trucking Wellness Programme (TWP). This initiative of the National Bargaining Council for the Road Freight and Logistics Industry (NBCRFLI), did not hesitate to offer one of its vehicles and drivers to make the delivery to Mbazwana.
- CEP purchased 20 x UV Sterilize Ceiling lights for the nurse’s room for use of sterilization and disinfection. It is effective for viruses and bacteria.
- New nurse was appointed at Cape Town Clinic on 5 October 2020.
- HIV Counselling and Testing APP for Trucking Wellness used in mobiles was improved the current APP and roll out to Wellness Clinics commenced September 2020. The APP facilitates quality insurance in the health screening process and accurate real-time data capturing required for reporting to the NBCRFLI. Mrs. Judith Bester travelled to each clinic to provide training to the staff. 16 Clinics received training in 2020.
- The Beaufort West clinic was relocated. The new address is at the Engen Truck Stop, 3438 Factory Street, Industrial Area, Beaufort West.
- A new nurse was appointed at Ventersburg clinic on 1 February 2021.
- New Nurse was appointed at Cape Town Clinic and started in March 2021.
- Simphiwe Motimani was transferred from Cape Town clinic to be a coordinator at Mthatha clinic in January 2021.
- In partnership with the Ekurhuleni municipality, Trucking Wellness started a COVID-19 vaccination rollout for NBCRFLI members within the East Rand Region. The first pilot mobile outreach site for NBCRFLI members was at Super Group from 21 to 29 July 2021.
- In partnership with Engen SA, The Road Freight Association, Department of Gauteng Roads and Transport, Gauteng Department of Health, Trucking Wellness arranged the first pop-up vaccination Station at Engen Highveld 1 Stop on the R21 West from 6 to 10 September 2021, bringing Covid-19 vaccinations to the Transport Industry.
- Super Group Logistics branded a staff bus for Trucking Wellness to use to assist with transportation, helping with the COVID-19 Vaccinations.
- A new clinic was opened in Pomona at Kelrn Truck Stop on 6 December 2021. Kelrn Truck Stop, 103 E.P Malan Street, Pomona Estates, Kempton Park.
2022 Milestones
- Nutri-Go Porridge Incentive: In a bid to encourage HIV testing at clinics, Nutri-Go porridge was introduced as an incentive. A positive response was noted, with drivers like the one from Villiers expressing their satisfaction and even suggesting larger quantities. This initiative garnered enthusiastic feedback, highlighting the potential of Nutri-Go as a power-packed nutritional offering.
- New Nurse Appointment in Musina: On February 1, 2022, a new nurse, Sr. Kgadi Maja, joined the Musina clinic, enhancing our healthcare team and extending our reach in delivering quality wellness services.
- New Nurse appointment in Cape Town: On March 7, 2022, Sr. Betty Ntentema began her duties as Clinic Nurse in the Cape Town clinic. Her arrival strengthened our healthcare presence in the region, contributing to our mission of promoting well-being.
- TW Annual Workshop: From March 28 to April 1, 2022, the TW Annual Workshop was successfully held at The Lakes Hotel & Conference Centre. This event served as a pivotal platform for collaboration, learning, and strategizing to further advance the Trucking Wellness initiative.
- Collaborative Meeting with NORSA and CEP: A crucial meeting was convened on September 21 at the Trucking Wellness Cape Town Clinic. Representatives from NORSA and CEP engaged with our Cape Town staff to discuss reporting requirements and medication procurement, fostering partnerships for streamlined operations.
- Dispensing Certification: Sr. Moses Motseki of Ventersburg Wellness Clinic achieved a significant milestone by completing his dispensing course and receiving a dispensing license on September 29, 2022. This accomplishment underscores our commitment to maintaining high standards of care.
- Mega-T Expo Participation: The invitation from the RFA to exhibit alongside their stand at the Mega-T Expo on October 6 and 7, 2022, marked an opportunity for Trucking Wellness to showcase its impact and engage with a wider audience.
- World AIDS Day Observance: World AIDS Day on December 1, 2022, offered a platform for global awareness about HIV/AIDS. In preparation, each Wellness Clinic was allocated a budget of R5000 to organize meaningful events, contributing to the global fight against the pandemic.
- Signage Revamping: A significant visual upgrade was undertaken, with revamped signage placed on top the Wellness Clinic containers in various locations, being Roodekop, Cape Town, Hanover, Warden, Colesburg, Kokstad, Port Elizabeth, Marianhill, Villiers, and Musina. This revitalization aims to enhance visibility and accessibility to our services.
2023 Milestones
- With the generous support of OR. Tambo District Municipality and one of their partners they have successfully appointed a Professional Nurse who will be dedicated to serving the community and road users from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM each day at the Mthatha Wellness Clinic. This nurse will seamlessly transition responsibility to your designated professional nurse at 4:00 PM. This collaborative effort aims to ensure consistent healthcare availability.
- In February 2023, the CEO and the team from Daimler Truck Southern Africa (DTSA) embarked on visits to several of our clinics. Their itinerary included stops at Roodekop, Villiers, and Harrismith Wellness Clinics, allowing them to gain firsthand insights into our operations and engage directly with our dedicated healthcare professionals. These visits serve as a testament to our commitment to transparency and continuous improvement, as we strive to provide the best possible healthcare services to our communities and stakeholders.
- Annual Workshop: From March 27 to 31, 2023, we successfully hosted our Annual Workshop at the Kopanong Hotel & Conference Centre in Benoni. This event provided a platform for collaboration, learning, and strategic planning, further strengthening the foundation of Trucking Wellness.
- New Professional Nurse at Mooiriver Wellness Clinic: Starting April 3, 2023, we welcomed Sr. Pranitha Mungal, a new professional nurse provided by the Department of Health (DoH), to our Mooiriver Wellness Clinic. This addition reinforces our commitment to delivering high-quality healthcare services.
- April 25, 2023: Daimler Truck Southern Africa Grand Opening: On this day, Mr. Tertius Wessels represented Trucking Wellness at the Daimler Truck Southern Africa Grand Opening event, marking a significant engagement with industry partners.
- April 26, 2023: New Fleet and Branding: We proudly received five new branded Toyota mobiles and two Mercedes Benz Vito’s on April 26, 2023 from the National Bargaining Council for the Road Freight and Logistics Industry. This expansion strengthens our capacity to provide mobile wellness services.
- RFA Convention Participation: Trucking Wellness was honored to participate in the RFA Convention held in George. The event, which took place on May 26 and 27, 2023, served as a platform to showcase our new mobile wellness clinics. This participation underscored our commitment to enhancing the health and well-being of truck drivers and promoting a culture of wellness within the industry.
- New Nurse in Port Elizabeth: Starting July 3, 2023, Sr. Tabisa Mtengwana commenced her role as the new nurse in Port Elizabeth. This addition to our healthcare team expands our reach and services in the region.
- Mooiriver Clinic Coordinator Transfer: On July 3, 2023, Coordinator Patrick Langa transitioned from Mooiriver Clinic to Tugela Clinic, further strengthening our team and ensuring effective coordination of our wellness services.