Most of the newly graduated nurses shed tears of joy after receiving their certificates in Mmabatho on Friday and vowed to give their best in improving the welfare of patients.

A total of 545 nurses from the Mmabatho and Excelsius nursing colleges graduated in different areas of nursing sciences and would be deployed to various health centres for a one year community service programme.

However, some of the graduates were already working as nurses and would just continue at their various centres.

One of the top performing students, Doreen Ontatile Magada, 39, from Kuruman said she was happy to finally receive her midwifery certificate.

“I have always wanted to be a nurse. I chose this profession not because of money but because I have always wanted to help people. My plans are to continue with my studies and I would like to focus on intensive eye care as an area of speciality,” she said.

Another student Mpya Jeffrey Madimetsa, 36, from Letlhabile in Brits said his qualification in comprehensive nursing would allow him to plough back to his community. “Nursing is a calling to me because I had to leave my previous job to study. After this I will be going back to Brits where I will be doing my community service at Letlhabille health centre and I promise that I will serve my community with pride,” he said.

Health MEC Dr Magome Masike congratulated the graduates and said their success was also a victory for the communities they would serve.

“I call upon the nurses who have graduated to understand that it is tough out there. You are going to save lives and deliver new lives into this world.

“When you take the oath today, you much remember that you are joining a massive movement for zero percent maternal and infant mortality.”

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