IHAWU - Independent Health and Allied Workers Union

11/04/2026

Workers Stuggle Continues ✊🏽

🚩REMEMBERING CHRIS HANI (1942–1993)

Today, 10 April, marks 33 years since the brutal assassination of Comrade Chris Hani. They took the man, but they could never kill the fire he ignited in the hearts of the working class!

Why do we honour him today? Chris Hani was not just a militant soldier; he was the intellectual heartbeat of the liberation movement. He understood that a vote without food, land, & economic emancipation was a hollow victory. He famously warned us:

"The perks of a new government are not meant to be the end of the struggle. We must remain vigilant. We must ensure that the freedom we fought for is not hijacked by a new elite."

Hani’s legacy is a reminder to every NUMSA shop steward & worker that the struggle for Socialism is not a picnic or a dinner party. It requires disciplined organisation & an unshakeable commitment to the working class. He fought for a South Africa, Africa & world where the wealth of the soil & the toil of the factories benefit those who produce it—not just the bosses, CEOs & the shareholders.

Comrade Chris was clear on what socialism fundamentally is. He once said:

“Socialism is not about big concepts and heavy theory. Socialism is about decent shelter for those who are homeless. It is about water for those who have no safe drinking water. It is about health care, it is about a life of dignity for the old. It is about overcoming the huge divide between urban & rural areas. It is about a decent education for all our people. Socialism is about rolling back the tyranny of the market. As long as the economy is dominated by an unelected, privileged few, the case for socialism will exist.”

Comrades, we honour our Comrade Chris Hani by continuing to build & strengthen our organisation. We honour Comrade Chris by educating ourselves on the political economy to dismantle the structures of exploitation & oppression. As we face the challenges of today, we must ask ourselves: What would Hani do?

He would be on the factory floor. He would be in the streets. He would be organising, recruiting, mobilising, agitating & educating. On this day, we recommit ourselves to strengthen our organisation. Unity of the working class is compulsory & sacrosanct!

Hamba Kahle, Cde Chris Hani! Long live the spirit of the working class, long live! Socialism or Death!

08/04/2026

National Department of Health (South Africa) Why is he looking down at the camera like that?

Has he already taken his dose of Lenacapavir? 🤭

08/04/2026

Mama e re ke go thuse 🤣

08/04/2026

MEDIA STATEMENT BY IHAWU ON THE FAILURE BY UFS AND SANC TO REGISTER QUALIFIED NURSES

8 April 2026

The Independent Health and Allied Workers Union (IHAWU) expresses grave concern and outrage at the continued failure by the University of the Free State (UFS) and the South African Nursing Council (SANC) to register nurses who successfully completed their Postgraduate Diplomas in Primary Health Care and Occupational Health in 2023.

This matter represents a profound institutional failure that has left a cohort of qualified healthcare professionals in a state of professional limbo for over 24 months. These nurses enrolled in programmes that were publicly advertised and listed as accredited on the SANC platform, yet were never informed of any accreditation deficiencies. This is a gross violation of transparency and accountability.

IHAWU notes with serious concern that while other nursing cohorts have been duly registered and absorbed into the workforce, these nurses remain excluded due to administrative technicalities between UFS and SANC. This reflects systemic dysfunction, poor coordination, and a blatant disregard for the livelihoods of healthcare workers.

The union further condemns the failure by UFS to comply with SANC Regulation 195, which obligates institutions to submit registration documentation within 30 days of course completion. This failure has directly contributed to the ongoing crisis.

The impact on affected nurses has been severe, including financial distress, lost employment opportunities, unsafe training conditions, and significant emotional and health-related consequences. Many remain unable to practice, progress in their careers, or receive fair remuneration.

IHAWU is equally disturbed by the continued delays, lack of urgency, and inadequate responses from the School of Nursing at UFS. Repeated assurances have not translated into action, while new cohorts continue to be enrolled, deepening the injustice.

This situation undermines the integrity of the nursing profession and exposes a dangerous lack of accountability within institutions entrusted with training and regulating healthcare professionals.

IHAWU therefore demands the following immediate actions:
• Full and transparent disclosure of all steps currently being taken to resolve the registration crisis
• Written confirmation of progress within 48 hours of receipt of this statement
• A clear, final, and non-negotiable deadline for the registration of all affected nurses
• Accountability measures against all responsible officials

Failure to comply within the stipulated 48-hour period will result in IHAWU escalating this matter without further notice through legal action, public protest, and national mobilisation.

IHAWU will not allow the continued victimisation of qualified nurses through institutional incompetence and bureaucratic failures.

The union stands firmly with the Class of 2023 PGDip Primary Health Care and Occupational Health nurses and will pursue this matter until justice is served.

Issued by IHAWU

Contact Person:
Lerato Mthunzi
Spokesperson
0658230082
leratomthunzi@ihawu.org.za

A united, militant and democratic front of healthcare and allied workers, fearlessly defending the dignity, rights and wellbeing of those who serve at the heart of our health and social development department.

01/04/2026

MEDIA STATEMENT BY IHAWU ON THE GAUTENG CABINET RESHUFFLE

The Independent Health and Allied Workers Union (IHAWU) notes the recent cabinet reshuffle announced by Panyaza Lesufi, which has resulted in the removal of Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko from the Department of Health.

While IHAWU welcomes her removal from the Department of Health as a long overdue and necessary intervention, the union does not welcome her redeployment to the Department of Social Development. This position is informed by our responsibility to defend both sectors in which we organise and to safeguard the integrity of public service delivery.

The removal of Ralehoko must be understood within the context of serious and sustained governance failures that defined her tenure. Healthcare workers have consistently raised concerns about deteriorating working conditions, chronic understaffing, collapsing infrastructure and a leadership approach that failed to respond decisively to the deepening crisis in public health.

Of particular concern to IHAWU has been her continued defence and political backing of Dr Lesiba Malotana despite serious allegations and red flags raised through official processes, including lifestyle audits and corruption linked investigations. Such conduct raised fundamental questions about accountability, ethical leadership and commitment to clean governance within the Department of Health. It contributed to a climate where workers felt unheard and where governance failures persisted without consequence.

Her tenure has been marked by ongoing instability in healthcare facilities, worsening staff shortages, declining infrastructure and persistent financial mismanagement. These conditions have directly impacted both healthcare workers and the communities they serve, further eroding confidence in the department. Taken together, these realities reflect a pattern of leadership failure that made her removal both necessary and justified.

IHAWU notes the appointment of Faith Mazibuko as the new MEC for Health. This appointment presents an opportunity for a decisive reset and the union expects urgent and measurable interventions to stabilise the department, improve working conditions and restore accountability. The appointment of Nkululeko Dunga as MEC for Finance is further recognised as a significant political development. It has the potential to strengthen financial oversight and ensure greater accountability in the management of public resources, particularly within the health sector.

As a union organising in both Health and Social Development, IHAWU expresses deep concern regarding the decision to redeploy Ralehoko to Social Development. We do not accept that Social Development should become a repository for leadership that has failed in other departments. This sector is already under immense pressure and plays a critical role in supporting the most vulnerable in society. It must be protected from instability, poor governance and any form of regression.

IHAWU will closely monitor developments within the Department of Social Development to ensure that the challenges experienced in Health are not transferred into this sector. We remain resolute that Social Development must remain untainted, protected and governed with integrity in order to fulfil its mandate effectively. The union stands ready to engage constructively where necessary, but will not hesitate to confront any actions that undermine service delivery, workers’ rights or institutional accountability.

IHAWU maintains that this reshuffle must not be cosmetic. It must mark the beginning of real accountability, consequence management and measurable change in the public service. Public institutions must not become recycling centres for failed leadership. The removal of Ralehoko from Health must signal a decisive break from past failures, not their relocation.

Issued by
Independent Health and Allied Workers Union (IHAWU)

Contact Person(s):
Lerato Mthunzi | Rich Sicina
0658230082 | 0606821672
info@ihawu.org.za
www.ihawu.org.za

30/03/2026

The SANC 2025 Final Year Student Campaign

Registration as a Community Service Practitioner

National Department of Health (South Africa) DENOSA National Page Eastern Cape Department of Health Mpumalanga Department of Health Western Cape Government Health and Wellness Free State Department of Health Gauteng Health Department KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health LIMPOPO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (BOPHELONG) Northern Cape Department of Health North West Department of Health IHAWU - Independent Health and Allied Workers Union

30/03/2026

The SANC 2025 Final Year Student Campaign

Introduction of the SANC electronic annual practicing certificate (eAPC)

National Department of Health (South Africa) DENOSA National Page Eastern Cape Department of Health Mpumalanga Department of Health Western Cape Government Health and Wellness Free State Department of Health Gauteng Health Department KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health Northern Cape Department of Health North West Department of Health IHAWU - Independent Health and Allied Workers Union

30/03/2026

The SANC 2025 Final Year Student Campaign

The SANC eRegister for checking the registration status

National Department of Health (South Africa) DENOSA National Page Eastern Cape Department of Health Gauteng Health Department Mpumalanga Department of Health Free State Department of Health KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health Northern Cape Department of Health Western Cape Government Health and Wellness IHAWU - Independent Health and Allied Workers Union

30/03/2026