Nursing the Community Back to Health: How Xoleka Kambi is Making Healthcare Accessible in Dunoon
In the heart of Dunoon, a place often overlooked by traditional health systems, one nurse has reimagined how care should be delivered. With a deep sense of purpose and a quiet determination, Xoleka Kambi, Clinical Nurse Practitioner and founder of KHS Clinic, is filling a vital gap in community-based healthcare — one patient at a time.
Her journey from the rural Eastern Cape to founding a thriving private practice in Cape Town is a story of passion, perseverance, and purpose-driven entrepreneurship.
From Cofimvaba to Community Care
Xoleka hails from Qumanco in Cofimvaba, Eastern Cape, but she now calls Parklands, Cape Town home. A healthcare professional by training, she describes herself as deeply passionate about providing dignity-driven healthcare to those who need it most.
The idea for her clinic came from years of witnessing the struggles patients face when trying to access basic medical services — long queues, limited clinic hours, and often impersonal treatment. “I wanted to bring healthcare closer to home—literally and emotionally—for the people of Dunoon,” she says.
Her mission? To offer care that listens, respects, and truly serves — especially for the youth and women in the township, where teenage pregnancy remains a pressing concern.
The Birth of KHS Clinic
Founded in July 2024, KHS Clinic began with one clear goal: to bring affordable, quality healthcare into the heart of the community. After registering the business and securing a location in Dunoon, Xoleka set about equipping the clinic and forming partnerships with suppliers to ensure smooth operations.
Today, the clinic offers a broad range of services including:
But what truly sets KHS apart is its atmosphere of care. “We don’t just provide treatment — we walk the journey with our patients,” says Xoleka. “Our space is warm, welcoming, and tailored for working individuals and youth who can’t access care during regular hours.”
Challenges, Doubts, and Determination
Starting a clinic from scratch was no easy feat. It took Xoleka four months just to find a suitable location. Funding, equipment, and spreading awareness in the community posed additional challenges.
“I almost gave up in the first month,” she admits. “It was overwhelming.”
But her turning point came when she joined Silulo Foundation’s Cohort 4. Through the programme’s bootcamps and mentorship, she gained confidence, practical skills, and a community of fellow entrepreneurs.
“I didn’t know much about business,” she says, “but Silulo taught me the importance of finance, separating personal and business income, marketing, planning, and evaluating progress.”
Support That Changed Everything
Thanks to the foundation’s training and support, KHS Clinic now serves over 200 patients a month, and its turnover has significantly increased.
“Silulo gave me hope and structure,” she explains. “The stories from other entrepreneurs lit a fire in me.”
She also credits the Coca-Cola Grant she recently received as another major stepping stone. “Being recognised and receiving financial support meant so much,” she says. With the funds, she plans to purchase a computer for reception, medical equipment, and expand her marketing efforts.
A Business That Heals and Empowers
Running KHS Clinic has transformed Xoleka’s life in more ways than one. It has pushed her to grow, to study again, and to think bigger. She recently enrolled at CPUT to study Occupational Health Nursing, which will allow her to expand services into medical fitness assessments for construction and security companies.
She’s also building something meaningful for others: all her current employees are from the Dunoon community, and she’s committed to creating more local jobs as the clinic grows.
Advice from Experience
Her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is simple but profound: “Don’t walk this journey alone. Find support. Get a business coach.”
And to her younger self? “Don’t be so hard on yourself. Life doesn’t always go according to plan.”
She also wants people to understand that building a business in the township isn’t just about profit — it’s about impact. “We’re closing gaps, building dignity, and making a difference where it’s needed most.”
Looking Ahead
In the next 1–3 years, Xoleka hopes to open at least three more KHS Clinic branches that can operate without her daily presence. She’s also awaiting approval from the Department of Health to stock family planning medication and vaccines — a milestone that will allow the clinic to offer even more to the community.
She hopes the community will continue to support and protect her clinic and that organisations like Silulo will keep investing in small business leaders.
“I want to stay close to the Foundation and keep learning. These opportunities give us the strength to continue.”
A Final Word of Thanks
“To Coca-Cola, Silulo Foundation, and everyone who has supported me — thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your belief in entrepreneurs like me helps us build something bigger than ourselves. Please keep supporting others too. It truly makes a difference.”
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2moWell done Xoleka. This is such great news. You can be proud of yourself. Sr L, Westlake United Church trust