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Outcomes of DENOSA LIMPOPO 8th Provincial Congress
Media statement
DENOSA in Limpopo held its 8th Provincial Congress at Karibu Lodge, Tzaneen from 5-7 December 2018 under the Theme: “Revitalizing Organisational Unity and Cohesion to advance member servicing” where 100 delegates from five regions attended.
Speaking with one unified voice, the Congress declared the following.
The congress took place when we have just celebrated the centenary of our icons, the late Nelson Mandela and Albertina Sisulu, who both left us a legacy of democracy. We commemorate the lives of these great leaders in a manner befitting of what they represented.
The Congress applauded President Cyril Ramaphosa’s appointment of State Capture Commission led by Deputy Chief Justice, Judge Raymond Zondo, to expose corruption coupled with the appointment of the new prosecution boss, Shamila Batohi who is believed to be the perfect person to bring the much needed stability and reform to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
Congress met when our country entered into 16 Days of Activism against Abuse of Women and Children. As a country, we are facing serious challenges of abuse of women and children therefore Congress condemns any form of abuse of women and children and anyone who is abusive must be brought to book.
Congress was graced by the presence of COSATU represented by the Provincial Secretary Cde Gerald Twala and commended COSATU affiliates in Limpopo for the unity in action displayed during the congress by amicably harmonising the need to bring back all POB’s to lead the Federation again without contestation. COSATU 13th National Congress did the same and a female president Cde Zingiswa Losi was delivered. Congress welcomed the address by COSATU stressing collectively and unity in action.
The congress was disappointed that the ANC was officially invited to give a message of support but did not attend the Congress. However, the congress welcomed the ANC newly elected Provincial leadership following its 9th Provincial Conference convened at The Ranch Protea hotel on 22-24 June 2018. The Congress is optimistic that there will be reconfiguration of the Alliance to realize National Democratic Revolution (NDR) agenda. The SACP attendance represented by the Acting Provincial Secretary Cde Goodman Mutileni did not go unnoticed as he gave a message of support as the vanguard of the working class accentuating unity in action. Keynote address by DENOSA president, Cde Simon Hlungwani rejuvenated Congress to give the newly elected POBs fresh mandate to lead the Limpopo Province for the coming four years.
The Congress condemns the verbal, physical and emotional attack of a Vaalwater nurse in the line of duty by an irresponsible community member. This is viewed as a tip of the iceberg as majority of our nurses are not executing their duties in a safe and secured environment. Congress welcomed Limpopo MEC of Health, Dr Phophi Ramathuba’s initiative to open a criminal case against the perpetrator and applauded his arrest although not prompt, but we are hopeful that the criminal justice system will not fail us. Masses will be mobilized when he appears in court; he must face the full Might of the law.
Congress welcomed the newly-elected Provincial Office Bearers and wished them well in the challenging positions to lead the Province. The Provincial Chairperson is Cde Monyaki Lesiba Peter from Capricorn Region, Deputy Provincial Chairperson, Cde Tema Mashoro Abram from Sekhukhune Region, Provincial Secretary, Cde Khoza Sipho Cornwell from Mopani Region and Treasurer Cde Mukhari Vincent from Mopani Region.
ORGANISATIONAL
The Congress noted with grave concern the Learner Movement Provincial Chairperson Examination saga with Thohoyandou campus and resolved that COSATU and SACP should assist DENOSA POBs to address the grievance with immediate effect. The Congress believe that learning is a constitutional right that should be respected and treated as such.
The Congress resolved that Secretaries in DENOSA should henceforth from National Congress be elected for accountability purposes. Provincial Organiser, FullTimeShopstewards and Gender structure incorporated in DENOSA Constitution as Provincial Executive Committee members with 50% gender representation. Retired nurses’ structures from local to Provincial structure and Young Workers Forum also incorporated in the Constitution. Learner Movement be incorporated in the main constitution and not as addendum.
On membership growth the congress noted membership deterioration, nonvisibility of leadership to the entire membership, the congress resolved that monthly subscription fee be increased to R80 per month, while the subscription fee of the student remains unchanged to improve member servicing.
ON SOCIO-ECONOMIC
The congress believe that DENOSA is the only organisation for the nurses and has a potential to grow and retain its membership, therefore resolved to intensify recruitment strategies and servicing of members. The congress further resolved that we should demand that universities nursing students be incorporated into a persal system and absorbed immediately after course completion.
Congress require that DENOSA National office develops a notification system that can remind members about their membership status and provide each member with a golf shirt every year. The congress further resolved to have training of leadership to improve capacity to recruit all nurses to belong to DENOSA in order to unify nurses under one roof.
Congress noted with grave concern the recent incidences of attacks of health professionals at Letaba hospital, Lebowakgomo hospital and other clinics. In spite of these challenges we are still having managers who are forcing nurses to work in unsafe health centres and clinics during the night. Congress resolved that the department must insource security, utilize police reserves and revitalize infrastructure. No nurse should be forced to work in an unsafe health institution.
Congress noted that despite health being in the top five priorities of government, it is observably taken for granted and not given attention it deserves by those deployed to head it. Department of health was confronted by a number of challenges relating to shortage of medication caused by the newly introduced G-Commence system in the Pharmaceutical depot, staff shortage, delay in payment of employees benefits, most Managers kept on acting positions for longer periods and majority without remuneration. Congress resolved that POBs must engage the MEC and involve Alliance partners to address all outstanding health issues.
Congress was disappointed about non review of the Accreditation of Health Institutions in Limpopo. Congress resolved to mandate DENOSA NOBs to engage SANC to do its work to avoid Medico legal hazards as a result of dilapidated infra-structures.
Limpopo transformation process undermines nursing in that the proposed structure does not have a Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer to take charge of Nursing services, Primary Health Care and Nursing Education. Congress believe nurses’ independence cannot be compromised on their watch in view of the fact that nurses are majority in the health establishment and resolved to engage in the Provincial Chamber to reject the proposed structure and organize a Provincial march early in 2019.
Congress noted that Treasury Note 7 impedes effectiveness and efficiency of the department to deliver on its mandate and resolved that it must be totally scrapped. The new Bursary model for Limpopo College of Nursing introduced without consultation is viewed in a serious light.
2018 students are placed on the new bursary system whilst the old students are still on persal system. Congress resolved that MEC of health should be engaged politically to reverse the decision and initiate the Consultation process which never occurred.
Congress noted outstanding demands in the PSCBC relating to OSD review and rural allowance and resolved that national negotiators must finalize these demands and multi term agreements should be replaced by a single term agreement.
Congress welcome the Presidential Health Summit non-negotiable resolutions held on the 19-20 October 2018, as follows:
· That all stake holders are committed to ONE COUNTRY ONE HEALTH SYSTEM
· Committed to serve the whole population
· Universal Health Care is non- negotiable and NHI is a means to an end.
· We must be accountable and transparent as we implement the intervention plans to have consistent and comprehensive communication in our ongoing engagements.
· Report regularly to the nation on the progress made to improve the quality of the health system.
The stagnation of NHI implementation is the Congress’ cause for concern and Congress resolved that DENOSA leadership should participate and input on NHI bill Road shows.
POLITICALLY
Congress resolved that DENOSA remains a COSATU affiliate and support all activities of the COSATU and Alliance partners. DENOSA will campaign for the ANC in the upcoming National elections in 2019.
Department Of Health Limpopo should also deploy qualified nurses to strategic positions. Congress mandated POBs to work harmoniously with NEHAWU as our sister union in COSATU. DENOSA should continue to recruit nurses only. Congress further resolved that the relationship between DENOSA, SAMA, PAWUSA and SAEPU should continue.
On VBS looting, Congress noted that the Federation embarked on District marches followed by the provincial march on 14 November 2018 against the VBS looting to the Premier’s office, Provincial Treasury, SAPS and COGHSTA to demand urgent action and arrest of those implicated. Congress affirmed the arrest of the perpetrators and condemns the attempted murder of SAMWU Provincial Secretary and the murder of a Councillor at Fetakgomo Tubatse municipality around Sekhukhune District, May His Soul Rest in Peace. Congress believe that it will be in the best interest of the people of Limpopo, the working class and the poor to retain the banking licence of VBS in order to establish a new state bank by our Provincial government.
Congress resolved to affirm the ANC commitment to start the process of engagement in Parliament to amend section 25 of the Constitution of South-Africa to allow implementation of the ANC Policy of Expropriation of land without compensation without compromising food security or the economy.
End
Issued by DENOSA Limpopo
For more information, contact:
Khoza Cornwell, Provincial Secretary 072 576 4979.
Provincial Chairperson: Monyaki Lesiba, 072 587 3632.
