On the 25th September 2007 the Changing Diabetes Bus started the Gauteng road show in partnership with the Gauteng Department of Health. The objective was to increase diabetes awareness among the general public and to improve the quality of life of a person living with diabetes through diabetes education.

The 22 day road show covered the following districts within Gauteng region: Metsweding, Ekurhuleni, Johannesburg Metro, Westrand, Tshwane and Sedibeng. The bus travelled for about 6000 kilometres across the province and had 4162 visitors who were screened.  We visited rural and metropolitan areas within the Gauteng region. 

In the Metsweding district we visited the following venues: Ekangala, Xithabeni and Refilwe Clinics. A total number of 530 visitors visited our Changing Diabetes Bus.

Going through the Ekurhuleni district we visited the following venues: Rabasoto Hall in Thembisa, Spruitview shopping mall, Golden Walk shopping centre and the Anglican Church in Tsakane. During this week we had 1106 visitors visiting our bus to have their blood glucose, blood pressure etc. tested for free.

In the Johannesburg Metro district we made stops at Eikenhof, Itireleng, Diepsloot and Strethford Clinics. We had very positive feedback from the local community who visited the bus. Not even the rain during the week could keep the visitors away and by the end of the week we had received 594 visitors.

In the Westrand district we visited Kagiso Mall and the community halls of Munsieville, Mothlakeng and Bekkersdal. A few visitors had blood sugar levels that were so high that we had to refer them immediately to their local clinics for further management.

Going through the Tshwane district we visited the following venues: Soshanguve shopping mall, Mamelodi shopping mall and Sammy Marks square. In total we had 667 visitors visiting the bus.

In the Sedibeng district we visited the following venues: Beverley Hills mall, Sebokeng Hostel area, Ratanda Clinic and then Sicelo in Midvaal. In this week we had 577 visitors to our bus.

Working on the bus is truly a humbling experience. We, as a company, are doing something very special with this initiative to change diabetes in South Africa. Each day brings on new challenges and opportunities.

We received positive feedback from all the communities we visited.