The Department’s golden jubilee commemoration culminated in a symposium themed “The Future of Nursing Education: Embracing Change, Advancing Care” on Monday, 8 September 2025, followed by a networking breakfast with healthcare partners and alumni the next morning.
Guests described the sessions as informative, inspirational and a fitting tribute to the profession of care, with impassioned contributions from speakers across academia, government and healthcare practice.
A former head of the Department, Emerita Professor Wilma Kotzé, delivered the symposium keynote address, titled “A Legacy of Learning.”
In her address, Prof Kotzé reflected on how nursing evolved from being viewed merely as caregiving to becoming a globally recognised, research-driven healthcare profession.
“A legacy of learning is about the people who taught us – their impact and influence on the learning environment, colleagues, and students – the imprints they left behind, especially the values and life lessons that endure long after they are gone,” she said.
Prof Kotzé traced the nursing profession’s journey from 18th century Europe, through Florence Nightingale’s transformative work during the Crimean War, to South Africa’s own pioneers, such as Sister Henrietta Stockdale and Professor Charlotte Searle, who fought for formalised nursing education and professional recognition.
She reminded guests that the University’s Department of Nursing stood firmly on these foundations, with 50 years of producing graduates who have touched lives locally and across the world.
Looking ahead, she challenged nurse educators to embrace rapidly emerging technologies, such as simulation-based training, virtual learning environments and artificial intelligence, while also keeping education personal.
“Nursing education is not only about a curriculum. It is about an accompanied journey – building relationships, fostering trust, and instilling a love for nursing. The baton is in your hands,” Prof Kotzé said.
University of Johannesburg’s Professor Charlene Downing, Stellenbosch University’s Professor Portia Jordan and the Department of Health’s Dr Mirriam Matandela were among the speakers at the Department of Nursing Sciences’ hybrid symposium.
The symposium discussions from panellists, including Professor Portia Jordan of Stellenbosch University, University of Johannesburg’s Professor Charlene Downing and the Department of Health’s Dr Mirriam Matandela.
Discussions ranged from student experiences in clinical practice to frameworks for nursing management, under the golden thread of inform, innovate inspire.
The celebrations closed with a networking breakfast, addressed by Deputy Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Professor Dalena van Rooyen, and retired Chief Nursing and Quality Executive from Life Healthcare, Dr Sharon Vasuthevan – who both commended the Department’s 50-year legacy of excellence and urged continued innovation in nursing education.
“This milestone is not only about celebrating our 50-year legacy, but also about inspiring the next generation of nurses to embrace innovation and shape the future of healthcare,” Prof Van Rooyen said.