Tembisa Community Forum calls for urgent reopening of Kempton Park Hospital

The Tembisa Community Forum (TCF) has renewed calls for the refurbishment and reopening of Kempton Park Hospital, describing it as a vital public facility that has stood dormant for far too long.

Speaking on behalf of the forum, deputy chairperson Thulane Sikhwinyane said that for nearly three decades, the once-thriving hospital has been left to decay, despite increasing pressure on public healthcare in surrounding communities.

“The current state of Kempton Park Hospital is not just a physical reminder of neglect. It’s a lost opportunity to serve the health and dignity of our people,” said Sikhwinyane.

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“Revitalising this facility offers more than bricks and mortar. It is a chance to restore community trust, create jobs, and expand access to critical services.”

Sikhwinyane urged government stakeholders, provincial authorities, and private partners to prioritise the project, engage transparently with communities, and act with urgency.

“We envision a renewed Kempton Park Hospital. Modern, functional and accessible to all, as a symbol of progress and a testament to what can be achieved when unity guides action.

“Let us not allow another year to pass with this ‘ghost hospital’ haunting our healthcare system,” he said.

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TCF says it is ready to collaborate, advocate, and support efforts to return the hospital to service.

Although abandoned for nearly 30 years, the structure remains largely intact and capable of being transformed into a modern facility that could ease pressure on Tembisa Hospital and overcrowded clinics across Ekurhuleni.

Sikhwinyane cautioned decision-makers not to repeat the missteps seen after the construction of Thelle Mogoerane Regional Hospital, where structural inefficiencies, overcrowding, and logistical challenges continue to impact patient care.

“Demolishing Kempton Park Hospital would only repeat these mistakes, replacing familiarity and accessibility with alienating redesigns and ill-suited layouts,” he warned.

Refurbishment, he said, offers a cost-effective and community-centred solution. It prioritises restoration over replacement, encourages community engagement, supports job creation and economic stimulation, and preserves historical infrastructure through modern upgrades.

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“TCF calls on provincial and national health authorities to listen to the voices of the people and take decisive action to preserve this vital facility,” Sikhwinyane added.

“We are ready to partner, advocate, and hold all stakeholders accountable in realising a hospital that serves both today’s needs and tomorrow’s aspirations.

“Kempton Park Hospital must not be erased; it must be reborn.”