This past weekend, Gateway Theatre of Shopping became a gathering point for Umhlanga locals who came together to remember, reflect and rally together in support of those affected by cancer. The centre collaborated with “Living with Cancer SA” as part of a national campaign marking International Cancer Survivors Day, with a central message: Your Cancer Counts.
In a deeply moving show of unity, shoppers were invited to write the names of loved ones impacted by cancer on coloured balls and place them into a giant ribbon structure. With every ball added, the installation became a growing tribute to the people and stories behind the disease, a quiet, visual symbol of love, remembrance and resilience.
For Gateway’s Marketing Manager, Ayesha Sewbaran, who was the first to add her ball, the moment was particularly personal. “I wrote my uncle’s name,” she said. “He passed away in 2020 and I was with him through every stage of his journey. It was emotional, but also grounding. This project feels like it’s about more than loss. It’s about doing something that could help others in future.”
The activation in the centre court also served a more urgent purpose: enabling people to contribute to South Africa’s first patient-led cancer registry. Visitors could register their own experience or that of someone close to them, adding to a powerful new database that aims to reshape the way cancer is tracked and treated across the country.
The four-day event included talks from survivors, healthcare professionals and community voices. The project also welcomed back a familiar face to the centre: Kesavan Govender, a former Facilities Manager at Gateway and a proud resident of Durban North. Diagnosed with Glioblastoma in 2022, Kesavan shared his journey of strength, treatment and hope with visitors, providing a reminder of the importance of early detection, support systems and the courage it takes to keep going.
For more information about the Living with Cancer initiative and how to register or support, visit https://livingwithcancersa.co.za. For more about Gateway, its stores and promotions, visit www.gatewayworld.co.za or follow the centre on social media: https://www.instagram.com/gatewayumhlanga/.
