ABOUT US
About the Umbono Project
The Umbono Project was born out of a shared vision in 2024 — a vision to make quality eye care more accessible, more personal, and more affordable for the communities that need it most.
In March 2025, this dream became a reality when we set up our first public clinic in Mfuleni, a milestone that marked the beginning of a new approach to optometry — one that prioritizes people over profit and access over exclusivity. At the heart of the project is Craig Banda, a dedicated optometrist and the longest-serving team member at Spectacle Warehouse. With decades of hands-on experience and a deep
understanding of the needs on the ground, Craig took the lead in driving the project forward. He is joined by two seasoned professionals: Pieter and Sonja, both with nearly 20 years of experience at Spectacle Warehouse. Together, this passionate team combines clinical excellence with a genuine commitment to community upliftment.
Umbono isn’t just a clinic — it’s a movement. We saw the gap: conventional clinic days couldn’t reach everyone. So, we changed direction. We began bringing optometry directly to the people — to their neighborhoods,
workplaces, and schools — offering services at affordable prices without compromising quality.
We’re here because we believe everyone deserves to see clearly. And we won’t stop until they do.
The Heart Behind Umbono Eyecare
At Umbono Eyecare, our journey began with a simple but powerful mission:
To provide accessible, affordable, and high-quality comprehensive eyecare to peri-urban, employed, uninsured South Africans.
As a public optometrists we saw first-hand the overwhelming demand for vision services in our community. Every clinic day, we were met with long lines and longer waiting lists. We realized that despite our best efforts, our traditional setup just wasn’t enough — there were still far too many people going without the eye care they needed to live, work, and learn comfortably.
That’s when we decided to take a different route. Instead of waiting for patients to come to us, we took optometry to the people. We began setting up mobile clinics, in communities near workplaces, schools, and rural areas — places where access to professional eye care was limited or non-existent. These weren’t just visits — they were a lifeline for individuals struggling with blurred vision, headaches, eye strain, and undiagnosed conditions.
We’ve made it our priority to keep our services accessible, professional, and affordable - because good vision shouldn’t be a luxury, and no one should have to choose between Umbono Eyecare stands as a proud advocate for vision health across all communities. We continue to expand our reach, not just as a clinic, but as a movement to ensure every person has the right to see the world clearly — regardless of where they live or what they earn.