FORMER MEC THANKS NURSES FOR RECOGNITION WHILE STILL ALIVE

FORMER MEC THANKS NURSES FOR RECOGNITION WHILE STILL ALIVE

By Montsho Matlala
Gert Sibande:Ms Sibongile Manana, a forward looking property entrepreneur is over the moon because nurses in Mpumalanga have raked up her past in a glorious fashion at El-Shaddai Terbanacle International Church in Ermelo, Gert Sibande District recently.
This former Mpumalanga MEC for Health was awarded a first of its kind honour by the Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA) in the province at the commemoration ceremony forf the International Nurses Day On Friday .
“Mama Manana is honoured for being the first nurse who became the MEC and a member of parliament,” said DENOSA provincial secretary Thulani Masombuka.
The huge framed certificate with snippets about her academic, professional and political journey was presented to her in front of a crowd mostly nurses and Mpumalanga Department of Health officials at the packed venue.
Timeless News asked how she feels about the recognition and she replied:
“I am delighted and grateful to be honoured by the organisation of nurses while I am still alive. I am over the moon of joy. I thank the Department of Health and DENOSA for recognising me. I say all the best for all nurses of Mpumalanga,” said Manana, a retiree from active politics since 2019.
Recalling how she ended up enrolling for nurses training at the age of 20 at Themba Hospital in April 1980, Manana pointed her elder sister as the influence.
“My elder sister whom I was staying with in Durban was a nurse and I used to envy her. First I wanted to be a medical doctor but due to financial constraints I ended up benig a nurse.
“I am a professional nurse with diplomas in nursing science and midwifery respectively. I have a degree in nursing science majoring in community health and administration. In 1995 I obtained a certificate in women and law with UNISA,” she exuded confidence.
While pursuing her career and academic achievements, she was also became politically charged in the process, something risky for a black person let alone a woman during apartheid rule prior 1994.
She was a member of the United Democratic Front (UDF) in the 80’s and held various leadership positions within the ANC after unbanning.
Manana who sat in the NECs of both the ANC and ANCWL between 2003 and 2012 was appointed MEC for Health in Mpumalanga from 1999 to 2003.
“I left nursing in 1994 for politics and retired from active politics in 2019. Now I am a business woman dealing in property,” said an intrepid elderly lady.