SowetanLive reports that for Phathiswa Sotyantsi there was no greater feeling than walking into Stutterheim Hospital no longer as a cleaner, but clad in a nurse’s white uniform.  

Last week the 50-year-old mother of four and 18 other cleaners and six porters graduated through Lilitha Nursing College for nursing posts in the Department of Health.  Studying while employed full-time was no mean feat, but graduating on Wednesday was all the more special because they went back to work in new positions.  "I used to watch the nurses in the wards and I wished that was me.  Now it is me.  I am very proud of myself and I am grateful to my family for all their support," Sotyantsi said.  Eastern Cape Health MEC Helen Sauls-August congratulated all the nurses who graduated last week, particularly those who were caregivers and general assistants in their facilities. 

Provincial health spokesman Lwandile Sicwetsha said:  "The department is proud that its effort to upscale and train general staff is producing positive results.  The new acquired knowledge will also alleviate staff shortages in those facilities.  This should motivate all other general workers to seize such opportunities afforded by the department."

• Read this report by Siya Tsewu in full at SowetanLive
• Read too, Eastern Cape cleaners and porters graduate as nurses, at SABC News

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page