By: Motshabi Hoaeane
05 December 2025, the cream of the crop health authorities from the Gauteng Department of Health (GDOH) and Ekurhuleni Health District (EHD) walked on red carpet into the awards ceremony venue at the Birchwood Conference Centre, where they came together to acknowledge, from those nominated, the winners of the Ekurhuleni Health District Service Excellence Awards 2025.
The award ceremony follows a six week nomination process, which was open to all health professionals in the region.Nominees submitted a portfolio of evidence of impact by individuals they put forward. The atmosphere in the air was of honour and exception with song and celebration accompanying the respective delegates participating at the awards celebration. Mmamasedi Semenya, EHD Health Information Management, who represented the adjudicators at the event said that a lot of nomination documents came in because the process had to be strict as no exceptions could be made for late applicants. “We were looking for those extra qualities,” she said.
She emphasized that professionalism and dedication to the principles and mission of quality healthcare is what set apart those that made it and those that didn’t in the selection process,while also encouraging managers to support staff to do the best where they are continuously.
Acting Chief Director of Ekurhuleni Health District, Simon Choma, during his address to the delegates highlighted to individuals working in public service health care, the significance of making a difference and advancing the EHD’ mission to provide accessible, equitable and high-quality health care services in the region, even amid challenges of limited resources. “These service excellence awards are our way of acknowledging those individuals and teams who consistently go above and beyond their call of duty,” he said. Avering “we are incredibly proud of the progress we’ve made as a district in advancing healthcare services, but we know that it is only the beginning.” “To everyone in the district I encourage you to continue striving for the highest standard of care.Together let’s keep working together toward making Ekurhuleni a model of health care excellence.” he further said.
Recipients of the awards winners were individuals who displayed excellence and went above the call of duty, showing up with both smiles, dedication and ethical dedication to the profession. The awards recognised individuals and leaders across multiple service categories including best enrolled nurses, professional nurses, administrative services, support staff, non-clinical support, clinical support. In the Leadership category, awards went to the best nursing leadership, administrative staff leadership, non-clinical leadership, leadership clinical support and therapeutic service as well as doctors’leadership.
Additional categories included best performing clinic MOU, best clinical support service, facility improvement plan, employee health and wellness, mass measles campaign, as well as the 1.1 Million HIV treatment gap.
“Today is one of the best days of our life as health care workers.” said Hazel Moagi, recipient of the Best Nursing Leadership Award, expressing gratitude for the recognition of hard work and dedication as well the efforts made by the department to appreciate its healthcare workers.
The services offered by the Ekurhuleni Health District serves up to four million individuals in the region. It encompasses six hospitals, 93 primary health care facilities, seventy-seven clinics, and eight community health centres with twenty four hours service.
Recipient of the Best Administrative Services & Employee of the Year Awards, Daleen De Beer, was honoured by her awards saying it took both personal determination and team work to have her wrake in these awards.
“This recognition means a great deal to me, not only as a personal achievement but as a reflection of incredible support and teamwork within the department of health,” she said.
Thanking her colleagues and the EHD for making this day possible, she affirmed both the privilege and responsibility of working in the public health sector, mentioning how she strives everyday to support health care workers in ensuring that services run efficiently and professionally for the communities they serve. “I would like to sincerely thank my colleagues and EHD leadership for continued support and encouragement. I’m proud to be part of this department and look forward to serving our community for many years to come,” she concluded.
