Dialogues, seminars and community gatherings
DignitySA hosts webinars, seminars and community conversations where members can engage with experts and each other on assisted dying, grief, care planning and living with life-threatening illness.
Dignity Dialogues is a regular webinar series where we engage with experts and each other on a range of end-of-life issues. Recordings are available on our YouTube channel.
In this conversation with three experienced doulas and training providers, we will explore what death doulas do, the training that is available and what is being done to professionalise the sector and raise awareness in South Africa.
When documenting your wishes for future healthcare, the considerations can feel daunting. In this expert-led conversation, you will be guided step-by-step to be clear about your wishes in a way that is helpful for your loved ones.
Here are recordings from the Dialogues that we have held to date.
Practical planning is one of the most thoughtful gifts that we can leave behind for our loved ones. Rhiannon Thomas and Thabisile Sethaba led an expert conversation on simple actions you can take today that will give them clarity and peace of mind in the future.
In Women’s Month, DignitySA’s three female directors, Lynne Grubb, Vuya Ilengou and Sanja Bornman, explored how lived experience can inspire compassion, courage and change.
This month we explored the inspiring possibilities of the final third of our lives. The expert panel included Willem Myburgh, head of Training & Development at GERATEC; Femada Shamam, CEO of The Association For The Aged (TAFTA), and one of TAFTA’s residents, Ivan Ronald.
Dr Chris Hugo-Hamman joined DignitySA’s Operations Manager for a profoundly personal exploration of the unique path that led him to become a brave advocate for medical assistance in dying.
DignitySA brought together professional and personal perspectives on caring for people with dementia, with Professor Rayne Stroebel, Karen Borochowitz and Rev. Mogomotsi Diutlwileng. This conversation was also recorded as a podcast called When Memory Fades but the Soul Remains.
Sanja Bornman and Rhiannon Thomas unpacked Section 7 of the National Health Act and why a mandate can help ensure end-of-life wishes are respected.
In this fascinating discussion, DignitySA director Vuya Ilengou explored faith, African spirituality and what it means to die well with Siyabonga Mkhize, Rev Mogomotsi Diutlwileng and Thabisile Sethaba. This conversation was recorded as a podcast.
Human rights lawyer Alison Tilley joined members for a practical conversation about how laws are made in South Africa and where civil society can intervene.
Dieter Harck, Lynne Grubb and the Motor Neurone Disease Association shared hard-won insight, humour and perspective. This conversation was inspired by the beautiful podcast called Couple Courageous that Lynne and Dieter featured in.
Bridget McNulty and Vuya Ilengou explored practical ways to support oneself and others through seasonal grief.
Pi Delport shared the story of travelling to Switzerland with their partner Una, who hoped for the peaceful death she wanted. Pi also shared their story in a moving podcast called Love’s Journey.
Public seminars and partner webinars that deepen practical understanding of assisted dying, palliative care and advance directives.
DignitySA helped the Advance Directives Campaign launch a webinar series on advance care planning with Prof. Rayne Stroebel of GERATEC and Dr Margie Venter of PALPRAC.
A second Tutu Foundation seminar explored assisted dying and palliative care, with the discussion moderated by activist Mark Heywood.
The first Dignity at the End-of-Life seminar at the Tutu Foundation focused on the South African Constitution and assisted dying with Prof. Willem Landman.
Gatherings with faith and community leaders that make space for listening, education and shared language around end-of-life choices.
A follow-up gathering with interfaith and community leaders focused on palliative care education.
DignitySA convened leaders from diverse faiths for a World Cafe-style conversation about end-of-life choices.
