OUR STORY
In 1991 the founder of the organization Dr Sikki (Surandar) Singh, arrived in Durban as one of the first Black Orthodontists at that time. The Plastic Surgery Department at the Wentworth Provincial Hospital, located in Wentworth, an impoverished area just South of Durban, enlisted the help of the founding member, in treating and rehabilitating facial deformity cases that required advanced Tertiary and Quaternary level dental care and eventually a free service was started by the founder at the Wentworth Hospital Dental Clinic. The clinic inherited cleft lip / palate patients from the department of Plastic Surgery and craniofacial anomalies patients from the craniofacial unit at the Albert Luthuli Hospital.
Initially there were approximately fifteen to twenty patients per month. However due to the demand for such a service, a community based orthodontic clinic which was based at the Wentworth hospital Dental Clinic was started. The patient load soon outstripped the resources and due to the financial and severe space, and equipment constraints the clinic was registered as an NGO in 2007 and subsequently as a PBO in 2011 in order to enlist the help of the private sector.
The Wentoworth Foundation is registered with the HPCSA (Health Professions Council of South Africa), and professional Medical and Dental volunteers to the Organization are given CPD (Continuing Professional Development) points for their attendance at the Clinics. In 2007 the advanced cases with severe facial deformities with particular emphasis on Cleft Lip/ Palate were moved to the private rooms of the founding member due to the severe constraints at the Wentworth Hospital. The Wentworth Foundation is the recipient of many awards. Below is a list of the awards:
In 1991 the founder of the organization Dr Sikki (Surandar) Singh, arrived in Durban as one of the first Black Orthodontists at that time. The Plastic Surgery Department at the Wentworth Provincial Hospital, located in Wentworth, an impoverished area just South of Durban, enlisted the help of the founding member, in treating and rehabilitating facial deformity cases that required advanced Tertiary and Quaternary level dental care and eventually a free service was started by the founder at the Wentworth Hospital Dental Clinic. The clinic inherited cleft lip / palate patients from the department of Plastic Surgery and craniofacial anomalies patients from the craniofacial unit at the Albert Luthuli Hospital.
Initially there were approximately fifteen to twenty patients per month. However due to the demand for such a service, a community based orthodontic clinic which was based at the Wentworth hospital Dental Clinic was started. The patient load soon outstripped the resources and due to the financial and severe space, and equipment constraints the clinic was registered as an NGO in 2007 and subsequently as a PBO in 2011 in order to enlist the help of the private sector.
The Wentoworth Foundation is registered with the HPCSA (Health Professions Council of South Africa), and professional Medical and Dental volunteers to the Organization are given CPD (Continuing Professional Development) points for their attendance at the Clinics. In 2007 the advanced cases with severe facial deformities with particular emphasis on Cleft Lip/ Palate were moved to the private rooms of the founding member due to the severe constraints at the Wentworth Hospital. The Wentworth Foundation is the recipient of many awards. Below is a list of the awards:
- World Cleft Lip and Palate Association Award 2011
- Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) award in 2010
- Pharmachem Award in 2009
- Rotary Club of Durban Award in 2009
- KwaZulu Natal Branch of the South African Dental Association Award in 2008
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
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FOUNDER AND HEAD OF WENTWORTH FOUNDATION
Dr Surandar Singh Dr Surandar Singh is a Specialist Orthodontist practicing in KwaZulu-Natal and is the founder of the Wentworth Foundation. He arrived in Durban in 1991 as one of the first black Orthodontists and could not ingore the need for specialist tertiary and quaternary dental care at the government institutions. Dr Surandar Singh also founded the Academy of Orthodontic and Advanced Dental Assisting program to advance the knowledge of Oral Hygienists and Dental Assistants in the field of Orthodontics. |
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ADVISER AND MEMBER OF THE WENTWORTH FOUNDATION CLINICAL TEAM
Dr Maurice Talbot Ferguson Dr Ferguson is a Specialist Orthodontist who has a Private Practice located in Cape Town. He is a member the Clinical Committee and an adviser and contributing member to the Wentworth Foundation. Dr Ferguson leaves his Practice in Cape Town once every month and joins the Clinical Committee Team in Durban North to care for and look after the patients. Dr M T Ferguson also contributed to the development of a specialized treatment protocol . |
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ADVISER
Ms Beryl Delores Kerr Beryl is a business woman with a strong community development focus. She is a founder member and director of GEM Investments and the immediate past Chair of the Council of the University of the Western Cape (UWC)and of the WHEAT (Women’s Hope Education and Training Trust) Board. She has served on the Wesgro board as the vice-chairperson and the chairperson of the HR/Remuneration Committee. In addition to that, she has also worked with the Minister of Public Works and Transport in an advisory capacity on Monitoring and Evaluation. |
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ADVISER
Dr Indravadan Ranchod Dr I Ranchod is a General Practitioner, and is currently based at Milpark hospital in Johannesburg. For the past 10 years he has also been assisting with Neuro-surgical and Orthopedic operations. Dr I Ranchod is a past member of National Union of South African Students (NUSAS), Black Conscious movement. He is also a Member of South Africa Medical & Dental Practitioner (SAMDP). Dr I Ranchod is particularly interested in exercise & health. Dr I Ranchod aspires towards a balanced life. He goes regularly to the gym and also enjoys walking. Dr I Ranchod also makes time to do bird watching, and reading. |
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CMO
Sureka Singh Sureka Singh obtained a BA Honors Degree at the University of UDW now UKZN in 1995. She also obtained a Diploma in Indian Classical Dance and ran a very successful Dance Institution in Johannesburg. Thereafter she obtained a degree in Graphic Design in 2011 to be followed by a Certificate in Business Administration shortly after. Sureka Singh values Truthfulness, Kindness, and Excellence in all endeavours that she undertakes. She maintains the ethos of an organisation of this kind in her belief that one human being has the potential to uplift the entire humanity. |
Head of Administration
Savitri Singh
Mrs Savitri Singh has not only been a volunteer but an integral part of the Wentworth Foundation for the past twenty three years. She has a background in Administration and training and has worked closely with the Clinical Staff in maintaining high standards in the Foundation. She is a philanthropist who genuinely cares for the wellbeing of others and is a significant member of the Board in terms of her knowledge and expertise.
Savitri Singh
Mrs Savitri Singh has not only been a volunteer but an integral part of the Wentworth Foundation for the past twenty three years. She has a background in Administration and training and has worked closely with the Clinical Staff in maintaining high standards in the Foundation. She is a philanthropist who genuinely cares for the wellbeing of others and is a significant member of the Board in terms of her knowledge and expertise.
ACCOUNTANT
Mrs Nisha Rampaul
Mrs Nisha Rampaul studied towards a BCom Degree pursuing a career as an accountant par excellence. She worked for a very well-known and successful company (Garach and Garach) for a period of twenty three years. She started out as an Accounts Clerk and eventually worked her way up to Audit Manager of the practice for a period of twelve years. She is presently working for Edison Power Group Limited and holds the esteemed position of Financial Manager. Nisha is passionate about her family and is a proud mum to three beautiful daughters who she has been an outstanding role model to.
Mrs Nisha Rampaul
Mrs Nisha Rampaul studied towards a BCom Degree pursuing a career as an accountant par excellence. She worked for a very well-known and successful company (Garach and Garach) for a period of twenty three years. She started out as an Accounts Clerk and eventually worked her way up to Audit Manager of the practice for a period of twelve years. She is presently working for Edison Power Group Limited and holds the esteemed position of Financial Manager. Nisha is passionate about her family and is a proud mum to three beautiful daughters who she has been an outstanding role model to.
Legal Adviser
Nerissa Premlal
Nerissa is a senior associate and the legal practice manager at a boutique law firm, Suren Moodley Incorporated. She is an LLB graduate with a Masters Degree in Business Law from UKZN. She is also an admitted and practicing Conveyancer. Her areas of expertise is predominantly within the realm of corporate, commercial law. Nerissa says, "Whatever the case, my client's business and legal interests are always at the forefront of my mind. It is crucial for corporate lawyers to understand the business effect of any legal decision they make and to ensure that their clients are in compliance with the most recent rules and regulations. I pride myself in finding solutions for client’s disputes. With perseverance, dedication and willingness I believe anything one sets out to achieve can be made a reality."
Nerissa Premlal
Nerissa is a senior associate and the legal practice manager at a boutique law firm, Suren Moodley Incorporated. She is an LLB graduate with a Masters Degree in Business Law from UKZN. She is also an admitted and practicing Conveyancer. Her areas of expertise is predominantly within the realm of corporate, commercial law. Nerissa says, "Whatever the case, my client's business and legal interests are always at the forefront of my mind. It is crucial for corporate lawyers to understand the business effect of any legal decision they make and to ensure that their clients are in compliance with the most recent rules and regulations. I pride myself in finding solutions for client’s disputes. With perseverance, dedication and willingness I believe anything one sets out to achieve can be made a reality."
OUR VOLUNTEERS
OUR LEGAL STATUS
Our Legal Status
Non-Profit Organisation registered with the Department of Social Affairs: NPO Number 055/852
PBO Number: 930 036 951
Section 18 A : Wentworth Foundation provides a tax deduction certificate to enable donors to deduct their donations from their taxable income.
Accountant
Mrs Nisha Rampaul
Externally Audited
We are externally Audited by Arvind Magan and Associates Accounting Company
Banking Details:
Name of Account: Wentworth Foundation
Name of Bank: Standard Bank Westville Branch
Branch code: 045426
Account number 013266799
Our Legal Status
Non-Profit Organisation registered with the Department of Social Affairs: NPO Number 055/852
PBO Number: 930 036 951
Section 18 A : Wentworth Foundation provides a tax deduction certificate to enable donors to deduct their donations from their taxable income.
Accountant
Mrs Nisha Rampaul
Externally Audited
We are externally Audited by Arvind Magan and Associates Accounting Company
Banking Details:
Name of Account: Wentworth Foundation
Name of Bank: Standard Bank Westville Branch
Branch code: 045426
Account number 013266799