By Nkosenhle Sibisi
Upper Highway philanthropist, Dr Margaret Turnbull who has dedicated her life to improving the lives of the less fortunate for over 20 years said she believes that women still experience inequalities at home, workplace and in the sport fraternity.
“It is great to have Women’s Month because it recognises the importance of women but it does not mean that women are treated fairly, this is due to the high number of killings, rape and abuse against women. To be honest, I don’t think that in any country women are treated equally as men. I strongly believe that the education sector needs to do more in teaching in the society about equality and respecting women,” said Dr Turnbull.
Dr Turnbull has been doing community upliftment projects in disadvantaged communities, mainly in the Valley of the 1000 Hills. She is a trustee and founder of the Hillcrest Aids Centre Trust United Kingdom. Working together with the sister organisation, the Hillcrest Aids Centre Trust (HACT), Dr Turnbull said that her work started when she attended a three day conference in Durban in 2000. She said she expanded her stay for three weeks where she was introduced to the HACT and fell in love with the country and the community she has served.
“When I met the local organisation, I thought I could also do something to help the children. I began my work in 2021 by raising funds to pay for the school fees, uniform and books for the Aids orphans known to HACT. Within a few years I began going into the schools and mentoring the principals and helping with staff training. So overall including the enforced break of Covid-19, when I was able to hold several Zoom meetings to provide support, I have been working in the area for about 22 years, she said.
In addition to providing school fees, uniforms and equipment over the years, Dr Turnbull said that she started bringing about 20 to 22 students from the United Kingdom who had raised money needed to work in a primary school cleaning, painting, decorating and teaching.
“This was supported by Hillcrest High, Kloof High, St Mary’s and Thomas More College who on alternate years hosted the student with families. After ten years this was changed from bringing English students to involving students from Hillcrest and Kloof High Schools. Schools are identified in conjunction with HACT who work with a number of schools in the Valley. I have worked with various principals from the Valley of the 1000 Hills, mentoring them in various aspects of leading and managing a school. I have also trained staff in numerous school in Behaviour Management, ensuring that there was good behaviour allowing educators to teach in a positive atmosphere. I also undertake training in Differentiation and Dyslexia,” said Dr Turnbull.
She added that the money raised by the charity organisation was used to fund education for learners from a couple of school schools in the Valley.
