Minister of Health M Tshabalala-Msimang address at the inauguration of the South African Nursing Council

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 five 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 therefore needs to be a major mindset shift in terms of ensuring that statutory councils get positioned to play a more strategic role within the health system in order to provide quality health care to our people.

This had an impact on some fundamental aspects of the Acts establishing Statutory Health Professional Councils and resulting in the amendment 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.

Through this amendment, major strides have been achieved like 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 is constituted as follows.

Fourteen members who are registered in terms of section 31(1) (a) and (b) of the Nursing Act
* 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

* One person who is an officer of the National Department of Health Manganye, Thandi Sheila.
* One person who has special knowledge of the law Lebelo, Mmonoa Jowie.
* One person who has special knowledge of financial matters Xaba, Rosetta Ntambose.
* One person who has special knowledge of pharmacy Thompson, Vonita
* One person who has special knowledge of education Gumbi, Rachel Vuyiswa
* One person who has knowledge of consumer affairs Pitso, Wilfred Gaahele
* Three persons who represent communities
** Solombela, Welekazi Phyllis
** Mokale, Segomoco Irene and
** Makwetla, Ida Sannie
* One person who must be registered in terms of section 31(1) (c) Alexander, Alec Nicholas and
* One person who must be registered in terms of section 31(1) (d) Tshayinca, Nompumelelo Jane.

Please allow me to take this opportunity to urge the members of the new council to take their roles seriously, to appreciate the responsibility and the importance that their position as council members. Members must at all times remember that they are representing the South African public and that we expect a lot from them.

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 that has been 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.

Some of you were appointed on account of vast experience in practical bedside nursing, management, tutoring, research, affiliations with international organisations 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 one of its first duties.

I would also like to thank the members of the previous council, for their contribution in the work and functioning of that council. 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

Issued by: Department of Health
10 July 2008