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KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane has hailed the dedication and sacrifice of newly graduated nurses and emergency medical services (EMS) personnel, describing their work as “the Lord’s work” and a vital pillar in strengthening the province’s healthcare system.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony held at the Pietermaritzburg Showgrounds on Thursday, Simelane congratulated 430 nurses and 47 EMS personnel who completed their studies this year. She said the event marked a milestone not only for the graduates and their families, but also for the province’s commitment to equitable and quality healthcare.
“This moment is proof that discipline, hard work, and faith always lead to success,” Simelane said, highlighting that the class achieved an impressive 97% pass rate. Benedictine Campus once again emerged as the top-performing nursing campus, followed by Madadeni and Addington.
Among the nursing graduates, 170 completed the Diploma in Nursing, 259 obtained an Advanced Diploma in Midwifery, and one person earned the R425 Diploma in Nursing. Thirty-three nurses advanced to professional status, with twelve achieving this through Recognition of Prior Learning.
Turning to EMS, the MEC praised the 47 graduates—12 women and 35 men—who completed the Higher Certificate in Emergency Medical Care. She noted that they will form part of a new generation of highly trained paramedics ready to deliver life-saving care across urban, township, and rural areas.
“These are hospitals on wheels,” she said. “Your courage and compassion will often mean the difference between life and death.”
However, Simelane expressed concern over the low number of men in the nursing profession, urging more young men to take up the career. She stressed that male nurses bring balance to healthcare delivery, making services more responsive to male patients who often delay seeking care.
The MEC also used the platform to condemn violent attacks on paramedics, warning that such incidents threaten not just healthcare workers, but entire communities. “Every attack on a healthcare worker is an attack on the community’s own health and well-being,” she cautioned, calling on society to protect and respect health personnel.
She further linked the graduation to the ethos of the ANC’s Freedom Charter, noting that the graduates embody the principles of equality, dignity, and access to healthcare.
Looking ahead, Simelane encouraged graduates to continue studying and specialising, reminding them that the demand for skilled healthcare workers in KwaZulu-Natal continues to grow.
“Today we celebrate your triumph, which is not yours alone but belongs to your families, communities, and to the entire province. KwaZulu-Natal salutes you,” she concluded.
