South Rand Hospital honoured its nurses during a special Nurses Day celebration held on May 27.

International Nurses Day is celebrated annually on May 12 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing.

The 2026 global theme, ‘Our Nurses. Our Future. Empowered Nurses Save Lives’, focused on safe working conditions, strengthening healthcare systems and professional recognition.

Nursing service manager Tebele Mahudu said empowered nurses do more than heal patients.

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Nurses were celebrated during a special Nurses Day event recognising their sacrifice, resilience and role in strengthening healthcare. Full story on albertonrecord.co.za

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“When nurses are empowered with the right resources, they not only heal, they empower the community. Even during Covid-19, when people went into lockdown, nurses worked tirelessly. They are forever present, and their skills save lives. Let’s continue to build the future and truly celebrate nurses,” he said.

South Rand Hospital CEO Simphiwe Gada said the occasion was dedicated to recognising nurses for their contribution to healthcare.

“Today is about celebrating all the nurses who continue to serve within our system. It is a day of reflection, appreciation and gratitude for the men and women who remain the heartbeat of the healthcare system across the world.

“This year’s theme recognises that nurses save and improve lives every day, and that their impact is greatest when they are properly supported and empowered. The theme calls for meaningful structural changes that strengthen the nursing profession and healthcare systems globally,” he said.

Gada also expressed concern about the growing number of nurses leaving the public healthcare sector for private institutions after receiving training and experience in public hospitals.

“Over the next 10 to 15 years, we are going to face a nursing crisis, and the only people who can save that crisis are nurses themselves. Young people must go to school and pursue education in nursing.

“We need more nurses to further their studies and obtain master’s degrees so that our colleges can become accredited. Once that challenge is addressed, we can focus on the curriculum and produce more nurse specialists,” he said.

Matron Kubeka paid tribute to nurses and acknowledged the sacrifices they make daily.

“We are honouring our unsung heroes. As nurses, we sometimes leave our families at home without supervision because we are committed to our work. We return home carrying heavy emotional burdens after caring for vulnerable people throughout the day.

“In 2020, we faced a deadly disease called Covid-19. We were all terrified because it was such a difficult time, and some of our colleagues lost their lives. Whenever someone in casualty tested positive, you would wonder who would be next because people were dying. Although those were difficult times, nurses remained committed to caring for patients with Covid-19. I salute you all,” she said.

Patients’ testimonies

Sister Dacious Sithole shared two testimonies from patients who expressed appreciation for the care they received from nurses at the hospital.

One patient praised the nurses for their compassion and dedication.

“Nurses are committed to ensuring they take good care of their patients. They listened and took their time with patients. As a patient, you are already burdened by your illness, but after being consulted and listened to, you leave the hospital feeling relieved and hopeful. They strive to help patients live healthier and better lives. To them, nursing is second nature. We appreciate you and are proud of your hard work.”

Another patient spoke about how the nurses at South Rand Hospital changed their perception of public healthcare.

“I previously had bad experiences with nurses at public clinics and hospitals and had accepted that I would never be welcomed with kindness at a public hospital. However, today I want everyone to know that not all nurses are the same.

“There are nurses who truly understand their calling. I want to thank South Rand Hospital. You are angels, and I pray that God blesses you abundantly. The way you treated me today after I made a mistake was incredible. Instead of shouting at me or throwing away my file, you explained the process patiently and gave me a solution to the problem.

“You looked beyond my mistake and saw an honest person who simply made an error. You made sure I understood everything so that I would know what to do next time. You completely changed my mindset about nurses. Thank you for the conversation we had. You made me see life differently. I appreciate you, nurses.”