The Northern Cape MEC for Health, Mr Mac Jack honoured women in the Health Department during the Gala dinner event organised for the long service excellence awards held at the Mittah Seperepere Convention Centre in Kimberley, Friday, 29 August 2014.

The ceremony was organised as part of closing off the Departmental Women Month programme on the strides made by women in our democracy, particularly in the Health sector.

The aim of the event was to salute and celebrate the selfless contribution of women towards their achievement of the Health objectives. One hundred and thirteen (113) women were awarded certificates of recognition for their unbroken and dedicated service in the Department of Health. The focus of the department for this year was on women who served 35 years and beyond, as the event was celebrated under the theme: ‘Celebrating 60th Anniversary of Women’s Charter and 20 years of Freedom Together Moving a Non-Racial, Non- Sexist South Africa Forward’.

The long term serving achiever was none other than, Ms Priscilla Du Plessis, a kitchen Supervisor working at the Manne Dipico Hospital in Colesburg, (Pixley Ka Seme District) who could not hide her excitement after serving the Department for 49 years with diligence. In her proud moment she had an opportunity to address those in attendance and she had this to say:

“I started as a nurse, then went to the hospital cleaning services and from there to the kitchen. I started washing walls and cleaning blocks. It is indeed an honour to work in the Pixley Ka Seme Region, I wish to thank all my colleagues for their support, words cannot express how I feel and thanks for the trust that you all had in me over the years”           

MEC Mac Jack in his address took that opportunity in motivating the awards recipients to continue doing good and to also inspire others at all times; as he had to say:

“As the Coach of team Health in the Northern Cape, I want us to draw lessons learned over the past years in order for us to continue instilling a sense of trust to our communities; which anchor around partnership and cooperation.

I am raising these issues simply because your service delivery enhances the ethos of “Batho Pele’ and the adage;’  I belong, I care, I serve. I trust that you will all continue to serve our people and continue inspiring the others with your diligent work.

We encourage you to continue doing good even if we are not watching and those who did not get tonight must know that they too are valuable staff members worthy to be recognised and awarded in future. Hou jou hande op die ploeg en moenie oor jou skouers kyk nie.”

In his closing statement the MEC equally urged all to continue to provide a quality health care service that is responsive, accessible and patient-oriented.

Statement released by:  Mr Lebogang Majaha

Ministerial Spokesperson
Northern Cape Department of Health
071 8836 404 / (053) 830 2001
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