Discover the Light and Healing Centre's new sustainable space in Muizenberg

Since May, the Light and Healing Centre, a local non-profit, has found a new home in Muizenberg and has been exploring new ways to remain sustainable.

Founded by executive director, Avril Hoepner, the centre provides aromatherapy training to blind and partially sighted members, equipping them with skills to offer massages and earn an income through the centre’s services.

Ms Hoepner said they have found space at the Muiz Kitchen, also a non-profit, that provides affordable organic meals to the public, as well as working with various partners on sustainable food practices.

Over the past 23 years, the centre has operated from several locations, starting at the Ikamva Labantu non-profit in Woodstock. In 2009, they began renting spaces in Kenilworth and Tokai, later moving to Wynberg and Plumstead. Most recently, in 2024, they rented space at the Cape Town Society for the Blind in Salt River.

The Muizenberg space includes a small room used as an office, rented at a low monthly rate, and a larger room for massages, which they use at a low hourly fee.

“We have a portable massage situation, where we would set up on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, then when we are done, we would pack up all the equipment,” she said.

Since the beginning of May, they’ve followed the same model at the Little Stream Conference Centre and Tea Garden in Constantia, where aromatherapists use a room on Wednesdays and are charged an hourly rate by the landlords.

Ms Hoepner said this approach is far more sustainable, as it costs significantly less than renting a large space full-time.

“Why would we pay an enormous amount of rent for a bigger office when we can just downsize,” she said.

Ms Hoepner said they are also doing outreach work, where their massage therapists would go to companies. They also do home visits where they have a driver that transports the massage therapists to the homes of clients.

The centre currently has 15 aromatherapists, aged between 35 and 69, from areas including Khayelitsha, Gugulethu, Heideveld, Steenberg, Grassy Park, Delft and Mitchells Plain.

Aromatherapist for the centre, Joy McCarthy, formerly of Milnerton stays at the League of Friends of the Blind(LOFOB) in Grassy Park.

Ms McCarthy said she was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa at the age of 34. Since then, she had her vision deteriorate where she is unable to see.

Ms McCarthy worked for more than 40 years for a manufacturing company, though she had to leave 10 years ago when she was losing her sight.

“When losing my sight, I had to deal with loss like abandonment, rejection, losing my identity, losing relationships, and independence,” she said.

 Through the organisation, she can add value to her life and the lives of others.

“I love doing these massages and I love learning about the different oils we use,” she said. 

Another aromatherapist, Xoliswa Maseti, from Khayelitsha, is partially sighted.

Ms Maseti said she is able to see shapes during the day but loses her vision completely at night. Her eyesight began to deteriorate while she was studying social work at the University of South Africa (UNISA), but she was unable to complete the course due to her condition.

“The work makes me happy, I am doing what I like, and I like it when a client says that we do a good job,” said Ms Maseti.

To find out more about the centre, you can call 021 761 9507 or email Ms Hoepner at avril@lightandhealing.co.za or visit their website.