By Palesa Matlala
• The nursing union says 65 new graduates and others from past years are still waiting for jobs despite completing their training.
• The province has only one nursing college and has not trained midwives for more than three years, says DENOSA.
The Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA) in Mpumalanga has called on the provincial health department to employ newly qualified nurses who graduated this week.
On 5 September 2025, the Mpumalanga Department of Health hosted its 36th graduation ceremony in Mbombela, celebrating 65 students who completed their nursing diplomas between 2022 and 2025.
DENOSA provincial secretary Cyril Mdhlui said the province cannot afford to train nurses and then leave them unemployed.
“This is only the second time in Mpumalanga’s history that the health department has trained students to fight unemployment and reduce shortages, only to fail to appoint them,” said Mdhlui.
He added that the problem is worse because the province has only one nursing college, which admits just 70 students a year. He said the department has also not trained midwives in the province for more than three years.
The union is demanding that the department employ the 65 new graduates and also those who graduated in 2024. It also wants posts advertised for nurses who completed bridging courses, community service and those who qualified between 2021 and 2023 but remain underpaid as enrolled nurses despite their higher qualifications.
Mdhlui called this exploitation of workers who are ready to serve communities.
DENOSA has urged the department to prioritise midwifery and psychiatry, which are critical areas of need.
During the ceremony, health MEC Sasekani Manzini promised that graduates will be absorbed into provincial facilities.
“I am pleading with you that you should serve our communities with respect, dignity and humanity at all times,” said Manzini.
Pictured above: the graduation ceremony in Mbombela
Image source: Sourced
