By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA) is holding its 9th National Congress from the 25th to the 28th of March, 2025, at the Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg, Johannesburg.
It is held under the theme “Promoting Organisational Growth Through Innovative Practices towards Resilient Quality Healthcare and Effective Member Servicing,” this four-day Congress is expected to have approximately 700 delegates from all nine provinces of South Africa.
President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered a keynote address at the 9th Denosa National Congress.
Ramaphosa encouraged attendees to observe a moment of silence in honour of the brave nurses and healthcare professionals, who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving on the front lines.
“For you who are in the profession, nursing is a calling. It requires a strength of character and commitment to service that is rare.”
Ramaphosa highlighted the long history of struggle for equity in the nursing profession, particularly among black nurses during apartheid, who fought tirelessly for their rights amid systemic inequalities.
“Black nurses were expected to only care for black patients in black-only hospitals. The hospitals and clinics assigned to serve the country’s majority were under-resourced and chronically underfunded.
“Black nurses had unfavourable working conditions, were paid less than their white counterparts, and had fewer opportunities for advancement.”
He reiterated his statements made during this year’s State of the Nation Address (Sona), that government will allocate resources to the health sector, build hospitals and clinics, and strengthen the healthcare system.
“This is the commitment that we’re going to achieve, and this is what we’re going to do.”
The president also addressed the government’s strategic priorities for the next five years, which include driving inclusive growth, creating jobs and reducing poverty.
“Achieving improved, equitable health outcomes across the population is a critical enabler of economic growth and poverty eradication.”
He said the support of Denosa will be pivotal as the country prepares for the National Health Insurance (NHI).
He is of the view that the NHI will bring the country closer to its aspiration of being a society where the human dignity of all is upheld at all times.
“The right to dignity matters most when people are sick and need help, and when they are most vulnerable. Our nurses will be the backbone of the NHI.”
He urged the union to be at the forefront of discussions around skilling and training, health systems strengthening, and other crucial matters.
“Denosa is called upon to ensure the training and capacity-building efforts under way in support of its members align with community needs and with the evolution of diseases.”
He emphasised the importance of engaging with policymakers to ensure the nursing profession is well-represented in the development of new health-care policies.
He pointed to the positive trend of increasing nursing registrations with the SA Nursing Council as a hopeful sign for the future of the profession.
Ramaphosa stressed the nursing profession is integral to ensuring the delivery of quality public services and addressing the nation’s health-care needs.