Byline: Refeloe Letsoisa
20 May 2026
The Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA) Mpumalanga and the provincial Department of Health celebrate and recognise the excellent work of the nurses in the province with the provincial event that was held at Lillian Ngoyi Hall in Secunda on Tuesday, 12 May 2026.
This year’s International Nurses Day was held under the theme: Our Nurses. Our Future. Empowered Nurses Save Lives. The theme calls on governments and other employers to address the many barriers in nursing so that the life-saving impact of nursing can be realised and benefit both the country and its communities.
“Although the event aimed in celebrating nurses, a number of issues were raised by the nurses, including staff shortages, poor infrastructure, lack of equipment and issues related to the working conditions. What I can say on behalf of the department is that the department is committed in making sure that the issues raised will be attended,” said Sr. Duduzile Mdluli, Deputy Director General from Department of Health responsible for clinical health services.
Mdluli further stated that the department has taken a decision to revamp the infrastructures and also add infrastructure.
“This year, our Honorable Premier and MEC for Health will be opening new facilities and clinics. We will increase the number of nurses,” she said.
The event also aimed to honour the 2025 Best Nurses in the province, who won the awards for best patient care, best nurse educator, and the best nurse with leadership skills. They were awarded with the Marilyn Lahana Caring Award; the Cecilia Makiwane Award for Education and Training; and Albertina Sisulu Leadership Award respectively.
“We are happy to celebrate and recognize our nurses who are the backbone of the department of health,” said Mdluli in closing.
