The second phase of the Nurses’ Imbizo continued on 5 April 2023 at the Walter Sisulu Hall in Randburg. The Member of the Mayoral Committee for Health and Social Development in the City of Johannesburg, Cllr Ennie Makhafola, who was accompanied by the Executive Mayor, Cllr Thapelo Amad, MMC for Group Corporate and Shared Services Cllr Loyiso Masuku and the Acting Executive Director for Health Frans Moseane, hosted the first-ever imbizo on 31 March 2023.

The aim of the imbizo was for the City to engage with nurses to get a clear understanding on the challenges that nurses face and also to provide feedback on some of the ways the new political leadership is going to make their work environment more conducive. 

As a former nurse herself who worked extensively for the City of Joburg, MMC Makhafola has first-hand experience of the challenges that nurses face on a daily basis. This is why conducting the City’s first ever nurses indaba was so important. 

“Nurses are the foundation of the primary health care system and ensuring that they needs are met will go a long way in ensuring that the City is able to meet its service delivery mandate,” said MMC Makhafola. 

“I am here to advocate for both the nurses and the patients,” added the MMC.

Last week’s imbizo with the City’s leadership was robust. The nurses were given an opportunity to engage the City’s leadership.

Some of the issues that came up was the challenge of not have adequate tools of trade such as shortage of medication, lack of competitive market related salary, shortage of staff, lack of training and career growth. 

Written by Ayanda Radebe

04/04/2023