The North West Health Department has appointed more than 1,700 community healthcare workers to permanent positions following a court order. This move comes after the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union took legal action for nationwide permanency. While the department expresses satisfaction, some experienced workers feel overlooked due to qualification requirements.
In a significant step for healthcare employment in South Africa, the North West Health Department announced the permanent appointment of over 1,700 community healthcare workers. This decision stems from a Labour Court ruling that mandated the permanent hiring of 27,000 such workers across the country. The union Nehawu had challenged the national department in court to secure these positions.
Department spokesperson Lucas Mothibedi highlighted the progress, stating, “Over 1 774 have been employed on a permanent basis and MEC Sello Lehari has also mandated the department to explore all other means and opportunities that are available within the department to ensure that none of all that we have as community health workers are left behind. So, as North West we are satisfied, we are on the cause. We continue to do so, and we are hoping that at least by the end of this financial year, all community health workers at least those that are qualifying will be employed permanently.”
The initiative aims to stabilize the workforce, but not all workers have benefited equally. Dorcas Motsamai, a 23-year veteran from Motlhabeng village in Mahikeng, was not included due to lacking formal qualifications. She voiced frustration, saying, “The process is not fair; it hurt me by employing young people who do not have experience. What is really hurting is that we are the ones who taught them how we work and so on. Some who have experience went to the workshops and trainings. We are in possession of certificates but at the ultimate end we are overlooked. We want the department to employ us with the experience that we have, instead of asking us about matric certificates.”
This development underscores ongoing tensions between experience and formal education in public sector hiring, with the department committed to further integrations by the fiscal year's end.
