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The Congress of South African Trade Unions congratulates its affiliated union (Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa) DENOSA on reaching its 26th Anniversary today, 5 December 2022. This affiliate of COSATU has done a remarkable job in defending our nurses who are the backbone of our health system and who keep all of us healthy and productive. 

The critical role of these courageous and compassionate workers was more evident during a deadly COVID-19 pandemic. Many of them paid the ultimate price looking after their patience and saving lives. DENOSA was a tireless voice and advocate of these workers.

The union fought against inadequate health and safety protocols and a lack of personal protective equipment in many health facilities around the country. In its twenty-five years of existence, the union has campaigned for better remuneration, training and working conditions for nurses.

It has never stopped pushing the government to hire more nurses to fix one of the worst nurse-to-patient ratios in the world. We salute the role of this champion and defender of these frontline workers.

Nurses have played a critical role in improving the nation’s life expectancy from 57 a decade ago to the current rate of 64 years. They have done this with confidence, knowing that they also have a reliable union that defends their rights and champions their interests and aspirations.

Nurses remain the backbone in the project of re-engineering our health care system and in rolling out the NHI. A union like Denosa is vital in ensuring that these workers are afforded the protection they deserve while deliver on this critical mandate

Denosa is not just one of the unions that form the backbone of this federation, but it is also the mainstay of our healthcare system.

Long Live Denosa, Long Live!

Issued by COSATU