As South Africa observes Mandela Month, Cure Day Hospitals Mbombela has partnered with African Synergy Health (ASH) in support of the 2026 Mandela Surgical Marathon, a national initiative dedicated to restoring dignity, improving access to healthcare, and reducing elective surgery waiting lists within the public healthcare system.

The initiative forms part of ASH’s national campaign, implemented in collaboration with healthcare professionals, private hospitals, strategic partners and the Department of Health through an official Memorandum of Understanding. The campaign addresses one of South Africa’s most pressing healthcare challenges: thousands of patients waiting months, and often years, for elective surgery.

As part of the programme, Cure Day Hospitals Mbombela hosted its first ASH Mandela Surgical Marathon, providing nine Mpumalanga patients with much-needed urological procedures at no cost on July 22 and 23. The surgeries were performed pro bono by urologists Dr Brighton Mashava and Dr Werner Pakendorf, assisted by anaesthetists Dr Sias Willemse and Dr Fatima Hoosen.
Cure Day Hospitals Mbombela provided its theatre facilities, nursing teams and hospital resources to support the initiative.

For these patients, Dr Brighton Mashava, Dr Werner Pakendorf and Dr Viola Morolo represented far more than surgery; they offered renewed health, independence and quality of life. “Mandela Day reminds us that each of us has the power to make a meaningful difference,” said Myrtle Barnard, manager of Cure Day Hospitals Mbombela.

“We are honoured to partner with African Synergy Health and hope this marks the beginning of a long-standing partnership that continues expanding access to life-changing healthcare across Mpumalanga.”

By combining private-sector expertise with ASH’s vision of healthcare equity, the initiative demonstrates how collaboration can create lasting impact: one patient, one surgery, and one act of service at a time.

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