Out of Sight Newsletter
The Out of Sight newsletter is more than just a collection of articles—it’s a bridge connecting us all, a platform for sharing, learning, and growing together.
Out of Sight is our way of showcasing the incredible work we’re doing on behalf of our members. But more importantly, we want this to be a two-way street. We want to hear from you, involve you in our activities, and together, build a stronger community. A heartfelt shoutout to our long-time friends and supporters – your dedication means the world to us, and we hope this newsletter brings you even closer to the heart of our organisation.
Your support and involvement in our initiatives could make a world of difference in our fight against blindness. Whether you are looking for social impact, awareness, sporting, or other initiatives to get involved with, we have many opportunities for you to make a difference!
2026
May
March
This month’s Out of Sight newsletter celebrates the amazing work of optometrists ahead of World Optometry Day, shares the fantastic 35% growth of the Dis‑Chem Ride for Sight, and introduces our upcoming Padel for Sight fundraiser. We’re also encouraging everyone to complete the Department of Transport’s disability travel survey to help improve accessibility in public transport.
February
In This Edition: Awareness, Action & Community Impact
February highlights Rare Disease Day (28 February), shining a light on rare retinal diseases and the need for greater awareness and support.
The Dis‑Chem Ride for Sight on 15 February brings cyclists of all abilities together to fund retinal research and advocacy. This is also the final month for Section 18A tax‑smart giving, with qualifying donations still counting toward this financial year.
With fundraising raffles ongoing and a heartfelt community tribute, we continue moving forward together toward a future where sight loss can be prevented, treated, or cured.
2025
November
In This Edition: Spotlight on Inclusion & Community Action
November marks Disability Awareness Month—a time to spotlight inclusion and build real understanding for people with disabilities. In this issue, we celebrate progress and push for more… because every step counts.
Entries for the Dis-Chem Ride for Sight are now open
The Zanzibar raffle is still live—share it with friends and family to help boost support.
Let’s keep momentum going this November.
October
In This Edition: Eye Care, Events & Exciting News
We’re right in the middle of Eye Care Awareness Month, and this issue of Out of Sight lands perfectly in its heart. Keep an eye out for Retina South Africa’s latest updates on World Retina Week—there’s plenty to inspire!
Looking ahead, we’ve got a packed calendar of events:
Ride Joburg – Sign up to cycle with Retina and make a difference.
Dis-Chem Ride for Sight – Coming up on 15 February; early bookings open in late October.
Padel for Sight – Our inaugural event takes place on 22 October. Rally your friends for a fun day in support of Retina South Africa!
Zanzibar Raffle – Still live! Grab your tickets and help us raise vital funds.
Let’s keep eyes healthy and momentum strong this season.
September
This month’s edition highlights exciting innovations and events for the Retina South Africa community. Read about the new Umsizi Reader app, making reading accessible in all 11 official languages, and the promise of autonomous vehicles for independent mobility. We share updates on the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative grant, our Western Cape outreach meeting, and fundraising opportunities like the Save Our Sight campaign, Ride Joburg, the Double Century para cycling team, and our Zanzibar raffle. Plus, take advantage of special offers during World Retina Week and Eye Care Awareness Month.
August
In this edition, we share news from Retina South Africa’s Annual General Meeting, welcoming Sonya Lee Mahabeer as Chairperson and Caryl Baum as Deputy Chairperson. We spotlight how NSFAS supports students with disabilities and announce our upcoming Western Cape outreach in September, where patients and eye-care professionals can connect around the latest in retinal health.
June
This issue brings exciting updates for the Retina South Africa community. Save the date for our Annual General Meeting on 19 July, a key moment to reflect and plan ahead. We’re also thrilled to launch a Zanzibar holiday raffle, giving supporters the chance to win a dream getaway while helping us fight retinal blindness. Join us as we continue building hope and connection this winter season.
May
This issue reflects on the past year’s milestones and looks ahead with exciting news. Join us for a charity concert at the Barnyard Theatre, celebrating music and community spirit, and help us welcome Manny Moodley as Retina SA’s new CEO. Together, we move forward with hope and determination for all impacted by retinal disease.
February
This month we celebrate the success of the Dis-Chem Ride for Sight fundraiser and our awareness efforts during Rare Disease Week, including a special podcast on rare retinal conditions. Looking ahead, join us in Umzumbe, KZN (3–6 March 2025) for awareness days featuring expert talks and support sessions for families affected by retinal disease.
2024
November
As November unfolds, we’re just a month away from the festive December.
For the first time, November will see our team participating in the 94.7 Ride Joburg. We’re rallying support for our riders who are fundraising for Retina South Africa. Please visit our Give and Gain page to contribute to their noble causes. A heartfelt thank you to all participants riding for Retina South Africa.
The Retina Team is also gearing up for the ‘Dis-Chem Ride for Sight’ scheduled for February 2025. It’s time to dust off your bicycle and kick-start your practice for joining us on 16 February 2025. Discover more about this and other engaging articles by simply swiping down.
Enjoy your read!
The Editor
October
Spring is here, but that doesn’t mean we’ve slowed down at Retina South Africa. This edition of the ‘Out of Sight’ newsletter is packed with wonderful activities for you to get involved in, as well as the latest news from our organization. Discover the Marrakesh Treaty, learn about the history of World Retina Day, celebrate the success of our golf day, and find out how you can take a break while raising funds for Retina.
Enjoy your read!
The Editor
September
Hey friends of Retina South Africa! Can you believe August is almost over? Time flies when you’re having fun, and it looks like we’re not slowing down anytime soon at Retina South Africa.
Our calendar is packed, and we’re buzzing with excitement! First up, mark your calendars for the 3rd of September because our Dis-Chem Foundation’s Swing for Sight Golf Day is happening, and guess what? It’s totally sold out! If you’ve snagged a spot, you’re in for a treat. Then, on the 28th of September, get ready to pedal your heart out at our Spin for Sight event, sponsored by the awesome folks at Virgin Active in Bryanston. It’s going to be epic, and we can’t wait to see you there
But wait, there’s more! Early October brings our very first Bowls for Sight, followed by a charity batch entry to the Ride Joburg cycle race. If you’ve never tried spinning, bowls, or golf, now’s your
chance to dive into new experiences and have a blast.
Here’s to a fantastic spring filled with fun, fitness, and making a difference with Retina South Africa. Can’t wait to see you at our events and hear all about your adventures.
Happy reading and much love,
The Editor
August
Winter’s the perfect excuse to curl up with a good book, or even better, an audiobook. Despite the chill, the Retina Team hasn’t slowed down a bit.
We recently celebrated at the South African Optometric Association’s centenary conference and even snagged an award for our stellar work in the eye care field.
Big shoutout to Manny Moodley, our Chairperson, and Claudette Medefindt, our rockstar National Secretary, for their well-deserved recognition by the optometric community.
This month’s edition is packed with goodies, including a recap of our Mandela Day shenanigans and the debut of a new Barbie doll who’s just like us – visually impaired. Plus, don’t miss out on the scoop from our annual general meeting.
Happy reading!
The Editor
July
Welcome to the second edition of the Out of Site Newsletter. We are overwhelmed with gratitude for the wonderful feedback and comments we’ve received from you. Your appreciation for our efforts to make this publication accessible to screen reader users has truly warmed our hearts.
June has been a remarkable month for us here at Retina South Africa. We are proud to announce that our chairperson, Manny Moodley, has been re-elected as Deputy President of our organization internationally. This is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our team. Additionally, we celebrate the incredible achievement of Nicolas Dedekind, one of our young members with stargaurds, who won the international disability bowls competition in his sight category. Congratulations to Nicolas and all our members who participated in this competition.
We invite you to listen to the interview with Nicolas featured in this edition. It’s stories like his that inspire us and drive our commitment to inclusivity and accessibility.
Thank you for your continued support. We hope you find this edition as enjoyable to read as we found it to put together. Your feedback is invaluable to us, and we look forward to hearing your thoughts.
Best Regards,
The Editor
June
Welcome to our very first ‘Out of Sight’ newsletter! We’re thrilled to kick off this journey with you, bringing everyone at Retina SA and our amazing members closer together. Did you know that sight loss is considered the most significant disability in South Africa? According to the 2011 census, 11% of our population reported having a sight challenge. With the rising diabetes epidemic, which often leads to diabetic retinopathy, we’ve seen a surge in our membership at Retina
SA.
This newsletter is our way of showing you the incredible things we’re doing on your behalf. More importantly, we want this to be a two-way street where we hear from you, get you involved in our activities, and build a stronger community together. A big shoutout to our long-time friends and supporters – your dedication means the world to us, and we hope this newsletter brings you even closer to the heart of our organisation.
Our management committee, mostly made up of individuals with sight loss, is committed to working tirelessly for our members across South Africa. Many of our members rely on social grants and the support of family carers, and it’s our mission to make a difference in their lives. Expect to see this newsletter in your inbox monthly, and we’re excited to hear your thoughts and see your
participation.
Cheers,
The Editor.