R15m upgrade underway at Tafelsig Clinic

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02-03-2026
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Cape Town Etc
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Construction is set to begin next week at Tafelsig Clinic, marking the start of a significant upgrade that forms part of a broader R15 million investment in City Health facilities this financial year.

The City of Cape Town confirmed that the project will introduce a first-floor extension, a lift installation, new internal and external staircases, and several improvements to the ground floor, all aimed at strengthening service delivery at the long-standing Mitchells Plain facility.

The upgrade is designed to respond to increasing demand for healthcare services in the area. As outlined by the City of Cape Town, the improvements will enhance both accessibility and patient flow, particularly for residents who rely on the clinic for daily healthcare needs.

Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Francine Higham, said the investment reflects a commitment to community wellbeing.

‘This upgrade will help us meet the growing demand for services and provide safer, more accessible care for residents. We anticipate that work will be completed by the end of October 2026. We thank the affected communities for their patience and support during this time,’ she said.

A clinic with history

Tafelsig Clinic has served the community since 1994. In 2008, it became the first City-run site to introduce a substance abuse outpatient treatment programme using the Matrix® treatment model,  a milestone in local public health services.

With construction under way, service continuity has been carefully planned. During the building phase, several services will shift to nearby facilities to ensure residents continue to receive care without interruption.

The Thusong Centre, located opposite the clinic, will temporarily provide:

• Child Health services
• Curative services
• Immunisation
• Nutrition services
• Matrix Services
• Meanwhile, the Tafelsig Community Day Centre (CDC) will offer:
• Adult Curative services
• Mental Health services
• Basic Antenatal Care (BANC)
• Reproductive Health services
• TB services
• HIV services

All pharmacy services will remain operational at the main pharmacy within Tafelsig CDC. Chronic Dispensing Unit (CDU) medicine parcels will be distributed at the Thusong Centre.

To manage patient flow during construction, the clinic will implement an appointment system aimed at reducing congestion.

Youth services will be prioritised from Monday to Friday between 2pm and 4:30pm, while stable chronic patients will receive extended four- and six-month medication supplies to minimise repeat visits.

The City also confirmed that roof replacement projects are under way at four clinics in Khayelitsha, Luvuyo, Mayenzeke, Site C and Town Two, at a cost of nearly R4.5 million. Completion of those upgrades is expected by the end of the financial year in June.

Councillor Higham noted that these improvements are not isolated interventions but part of a longer-term maintenance and enhancement strategy.

‘These projects form part of the City’s broader programme to maintain and improve health infrastructure, ensuring safer, more efficient facilities for both staff and the communities they serve,’ she added.