01/01/2026
*MEDIA STATEMENT*
NW Department of Health
Thursday, 01 Jan 2026
*MEC Lehari Welcomes New Healthcare Professionals and Assesses Hospital Performance in Rustenburg*
The North West MEC for Health, Mr Sello Lehari, hit the ground running on the first day of the year today as he welcomed a total 101 newly appointed healthcare professionals during an official visit to Job Shimankana Tabane (JST) Hospital in Rustenburg. The visit also included a comprehensive assessment of the hospital’s performance, service delivery improvements, infrastructure needs and operational challenges.
The new cohort comprises 48 Medical Interns, 24 Community Service Medical Doctors, 4 Community Service Radiographers, 2 Occupational Therapists, 2 Dietitians, 2 Physiotherapists, 12 Nursing Assistants, 3 Community Service Nurses, 2 Environmental Health Practitioners, and 2 Speech and Audiology Therapists. These appointments are expected to significantly strengthen clinical and support services at the hospital.
Job Shimankana Tabane Hospital is a provincial tertiary hospital located in the Bojanala Platinum Health District, the third largest district in the province in terms of geographic size. The district borders Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Limpopo, and serves a population of over 2.1 million people across the local municipalities of Kgetlengrivier, Madibeng, Moretele, Moses Kotane and Rustenburg.
Founded in 1923 and renamed in 2008 in honour of Job Shimankana Tabane, a respected ANC activist from Maile Village, the hospital is one of only two tertiary hospitals in the North West Province. JST Hospital provides Level 1, Level 2 and selected Level 3 services, with a total of 440 open beds and an additional 68 Public-Private Partnership (PPP) beds.
Joined by the Bojanala Platinum District Municipality MMC for Health Cllr Tebogo Kebini and Rustenburg Local Municipality MMC for Health Cllr Seleke, Acting DDG for Hospitals and Specialised Services Prof Binu Luke, DDG for District Health Services, Ms Tsholofelo Adelekon, the District Chief Director, Hospital CEO and other senior officials as he welcomed the new healthcare professionals, MEC Lehari emphasised the importance of commitment, professionalism and patient-centred care.
“We warmly welcome all the newly appointed healthcare professionals to the North West Department of Health. Your presence strengthens our capacity to deliver quality healthcare, and we expect you to serve our communities with dedication, compassion and professionalism,” said MEC Lehari.
During the hospital performance assessment, the MEC commended management and staff for key achievements, including the reduction in maternal mortality, renovation of wards 3 and 4, installation of medical air in neonatal and paediatric units, increased ICU bed capacity, and expanded outreach services to district hospitals. The appointment of an Operational Programme Manager for the obstetrics unit was also highlighted as a critical intervention.
Despite these gains, MEC Lehari acknowledged persistent challenges related to space constraints, ageing furniture, staffing delays and budget limitations. Priority infrastructure requirements include the upgrading of the obstetric theatre, renovation of the maternity obstetric unit, establishment of a 24-hour Gateway Clinic, a fully fledged Mother Lodger Facility, insourcing of the CTOP Clinic, and the MOU 206-bed capacity expansion project.
“While progress has been made, we are decisively addressing the challenges facing Job Shimankana Tabane Hospital. The department will intensify engagements with the Chief Financial Officer, strengthen specialist nurse training, explore collaborative partnerships, and accelerate staffing processes to ensure sustainable service delivery,” said MEC Lehari.
The MEC further indicated that lean management practices, interdepartmental collaboration, including with Correctional Services and private training institutions, and continued engagement on funding solutions will form part of the department’s response to operational and budgetary pressures.
The North West Department of Health remains committed to strengthening tertiary healthcare services, supporting healthcare professionals, and improving health outcomes for communities served by Job Shimankana Tabane Hospital and the broader Bojanala Platinum District.
Issued by:
North West Department of Health
END.
