Healthcare workers remembered and celebrated
The Retired Health Care Workers hosted an event that celebrated eleven healthcare workers that passed on and highlighted the important role played by nurses by their patients’ sides.
“You still live with us, in our hearts and memories, and that’s how one doesn’t die.
You might be gone from this world, but will never be forgotten,” reads a caption from the programme at an event hosted by the Retired Health Care Workers (RHCW).
The event was held on Wednesday, September 21 at the Faith Tabernacle Church in Lynnville.
Ms Margaret Madigage in her speech said that an organisation that looks after its own, is right and that even death does not end that love.
They are always together and hope that God keeps them together.
She urged the members to keep on serving the community, even in retirement and they must be proud of themselves.
She related how difficult it was during the Covid-19 pandemic, that they could not even visit their members in hospitals or attended their funerals.
She further encouraged members to always be of service to mankind and be prepared to help others and upgrade themselves.
She described how the deceased members dedicated their lives to helping others with a smile, love, patience and always advocating for patients’ rights.
Guest speaker Ms Sipho Motau-Hlongwane said celebrating the lives of the deceased members, left a footprint in many spheres of life.
She said members should remember that during Heritage Month nursing dates back to the time of Florence Nightingale and Cecelia Makiwane who were pioneers of the nursing profession. (Makiwane was the first black registered nurse).
“The issues of crime, unemployment, GBV, poverty and other issues affecting our country need nurses to shine their light and we need to pray for the country. Nurses are the light of the nation.
Light combats darkness, and promotes action and light gives and provides pathways; even in remote areas nurses are always resourceful and dynamite people.
Appreciate yourself because once a nurse, always a nurse,” says Ms Motau-Hlongwane.
She reminded the nurses that they are the hope of their patients.
When a patient is admitted to the hospital, a nurse is there with the doctor.
“When a child is born, a nurse is there, when a patient breathes out the last gasp, a nurse is also there,” said Ms Motau-Hlongwane.
She urged the nurses never to stop to be the light but to soldier on and take care of their health as they care for others.
She encourages them to be responsible and accountable leaders and treat people with humanity and remain the same to all people they came across.
She also advocates for the protection and support of healthcare workers in health centres, especially in Phola, Hlalanikahle and Siphosembi.
The nurses recite the nurses’ pledge of service and lighted candles for all the deceased members.
Representing the executive mayor Clr Faith Msibi thanked the nurses for the role they played in our communities and that they must impact the knowledge they have to the younger generation of nurses.
The eleven care workers who were celebrated were: Sibongile Regina Mbethe, Alleta Nonkosi Tlou, Johanna Thandiwe Khoza, Sara Dimakatso Nkoane, Douglas Mthuthuzeli Ntuthela, Anna Thembi Siska, Jane Ntombikayise Nkosi, Joyce Sathekga, Elizabeth Busisiwe Mabuza, Vivian Mthethwa and Thalitha Rangwaga.
Family members were presented with presents.
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