10 July 2008, Pretoria
Programme Director;
Registrar and Council Management;
Members of the new Council;
Officials from the National Department of Health;
Honoured Guests and members of the media
Good morning,
It is my pleasure to welcome you to this important occasion which is the inauguration of the new South African Nursing Council. This Council is established in terms of section 5 of the Nursing Act, 2005 (Act No. 33 of 2005). The Act is a result of intensive work that has been done over a number of years and I am very pleased that we are implementing it as it will assist us to deal with many of the challenges that the previous Councils faced.
In November 2001, I had a meeting with chairpersons of the Health Professional Councils to discuss issues related to how statutory councils carry out their mandate and more importantly play more meaningful roles in government's quest to provide health services to all South Africans. I then appointed a Task Team to explore these issues further and a comprehensive report was submitted to me.
One of the recommendations was that the roles of the Statutory Councils needed to be more than just operational management and the regulation of health professionals. More attention should be paid on its key purpose, which is the protection and promotion of public interest, ensuring the delivery of quality care and guiding the professions.
Guiding the professions is totally different from protecting them. Protection of professional interests is the duty and reason that professional associations exist. There is therefore a need for a major mindset shift to ensure that statutory councils get positioned to play a more strategic role within the health system in order to protect the patients and provide quality nursing care through appropriate and relevant training.
This was a major consideration in the drafting of the Acts establishing Statutory Health Professional Councils and resulting in the enactment of all the relevant Acts.
In relation to nursing, it was inevitable that the new Nursing Act, of 2005 (Act No. 33 of 2005), had to be amended to introduce a number of new provisions that seek to strengthen nursing services. Major strides have been achieved since such as the introduction of Community Service for Nurses, 'right sizing' of the Nursing Council to make it more effective, modifying the process of nominating and appointing members of the Council to ensure its representivity, and above all putting in place measures to ensure better governance.
On the 28th of February 2008, the process started for the nomination of persons to serve on the Council. I then appointed 25 persons on the basis of nominations made by the nursing professionals and certain designated groups in terms of the Act. These are nurse professionals who have expertise in nursing practice, nursing education, community health, primary health care, occupational health and mental health. They are complemented by other appointees who have expertise in finance and law so that the Council is able to conduct its business effectively. The objective remains to ensure a strong Council that has the capacity to deliver on the broad mandate that I explained earlier.
I am happy, today, to officially announce and inaugurate the South African Nursing Council which, in line with the provisions of the Nursing Act, of 2005 (Act No 33 of 2005), is constituted of 25 members as follows:
BHENGU, Busisiwe Rosemary
DUMA, Sinegugu Evidence
ERASMUS, Catharina Magdalena
HUMAN, Susara Petronella
JEFTHA, Gloria
LEDWABA, Moshekoa Daphney
MAKHANYA, Jabulile Nonhlanhla
MASELESELE, Mashudu
MOGOTLANE, Sophie Mataniele
NIKODEM, Vernicé Cheryl
NYASULU, Dolly Nontutuzelo
PIENAAR, Abel Jacobus
VASUTHEVAN, Sharon
MDHLALOSE, Rose Thembisile
Thank you for accepting to be the nominated to the Nursing Councl which I am convinced will be purposeful and committed and hardworking. I have confidence in you all and promise you the full support of the Ministry and the Department of Health.
In therefore urge you, the members of the new Council to take your roles seriously, appreciating the responsibility and the importance that these put you as council members. Remember at all times remember that you are representing the South African public and that we expect a lot from you as you guide the nursing profession.
It is no secret that the previous Council had very serious challenges and problems that certainly damaged its image in the eyes of the public and the nursing profession. This Council has a responsibility to rebuild the image of the Council and to ensure that it fulfils its mandate. We must remember that nurses make up a large portion of the health workforce (there are more than 200 000 nurses registered in the country). The country is looking up to you for effective leadership. By being appointed to this Council, you have assumed a leadership position that needs a personal and a collective effort. When the media reports something about the Council, it is yourselves that are accountable.
Some Council members have been re-appointed to ensure continuity of the Council's work undertaken during the previous term and to ensure institutional memory.
While the Council remains an independent body outside of the Department of Health, it is part of the structures responsible for ensuring efficient delivery of health services by registered health professionals.
As you know, statutory health professional councils are established in terms of Acts of Parliament. They are therefore part of the system of governance in the health sector. The responsibilities and tasks ahead of you during this term are enormous and numerous, and no time should be wasted before you get down to business.
It is my belief that being a member of Council is an opportunity for professionals to make a positive contribution towards the health and well being of the society at large and the profession in terms of ensuring that the professionals are appropriately guided. You are appointed because of your vast experience in practical bedside nursing, management, tutoring, research, affiliations with international organizations and many other aspects. The new Council, has amongst you, the necessary skills to ensure its success. Please harness these skills and experiences for the advancement of nursing as a career and of the profession. The manner in which you carry out your responsibilities make this profession more attractive to the youth and make nurses proud of their profession.
One of the recommendations of the Task Team was that a charter of conduct for council members be developed. Section 5(6) of the Act states that each member must, on assumption of office, sign an undertaking to abide by the provisions of this Act. I do hope that the Council will ensure execution of this task at its earliest convenience and as priority amongst its first duties.
It is my pleasant duty to extend our gratitude to the members of the outgoing Council, for their contribution in guiding the nursing profession in the delivery of quality health services to the nation.
I would also like to express my appreciation to Ms Manganye for ensuring that the Council functioned smoothly while she was acting as the Registrar of the Council.
Finally, I would be failing in my duties if I did not welcome Ms Hasina Subedar back as the Registrar of the South African Nursing Council. I hope that you will implement what you learnt over the past year at Harvard University to enrich the Nursing Council's management systems.
May this new Council serve a constructive term and may you all enjoy being a member of the team.
I thank you.