Branch Focus: Eastern Cape
Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital
The Hospersa branch at the Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital consists of approximately 300 members in the complex - which includes the Bedford Hospital.
The branch is very active and meets regularly.
The Shop Stewards Committee – comprised of Chairman, Nomandulela Nkonzo; Secretary Sicelo Dingane; and shop stewards Thembelani Madikizela, Thabisa Myathaza, Mbuso Ndwandwe (Bedford Hospital), and Bongani Slara – is very involved in all activities of organised labour at the complex, in particular, matters of the complex’s Labour Committee. They are continually engaging management and recruiting of new members within the complex.
This committee is particularly proud of the role it plays in labour matters at the hospital and in the province.
Complex Leaders (L to R) Mbuso Ndwandwe and Xatyiswa Sontundu (both from Bedford Hospital), Pumlani Nwelende (LRO Mthatha), A.N. Nkonzo (Chairperson); and Sicelo Dingane (Branch Secretary).
Sicelo Dingane, Branch Secretary, leads a lively discussion on the PMDS. Pictured with him is Labour Relations Organiser Pumlani Nwelende.
Xatyiswa Sontundu, (Branch Secretary, Bedford Hospital), who attended a General Meeting held at Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital.
PORT ALFRED HOSPITAL
In the Eastern Cape Province, there is a Public-Private Partnership in operation at the Port Alfred (Medicross) Hospital between the Eastern Cape Provincial Health Department and Netcare.
Hospersa has a branch at the hospital which consists of approximately 60 members. The hospital has a staff complement of about 80 staff members, most of whom are Hospersa members.
Thandi Tonisi is the Labour Relations Organiser responsible for the hospital and her namesake, Thandi Makiwane, is the only shop steward at the hospital.
Makiwane, who was formerly a Nehawu shop steward at the Uitenhage Hospital, says with conviction: "I suddenly didn’t like their style, and I am not able to condone worker corruption"
Hospersa welcomes Thandi to the ranks of Hospersa Shop Stewards and we are sure she will have much to offer the union in the line of labour matters in years to come.
Of particular concern to Makiwane at present, is the composition of management at the hospital, which has no black representation at all. Thandi is currently engaged in establishing her position as 'organised labour' in the institution, which she hopes will enable her to participate in all the workings of transformation structures at the hospital. She currently serves as the Chairperson of the Transformation Forum for Port Alfred Hospital and Grahamstown Hospital.
Members attend a General Meeting held at Port Alfred/Medicross Hospital.
Thandi signing up new member, N. Michael, from the hospital’s kitchen.
Hospersa Labour Relations Organiser, Thandi Tonisi, is responsible for the branch.