The NurseLead collaboration team: Prof. SK Coetzee, Dr M Matandela, L Chisale, F Musehane, Prof. K Jooste, Dr N Barnard, Prof. T Crowley, Prof. S Duma, Prof. V Matahela, Prof. N Mbombo, Dr S Mthembu, Prof. C Prinsloo, Prof. S Rothman, Prof. N Scheepers, Prof. J Scribante, Prof. K Shopo, Prof. W ten Ham-Baloyi, Dr N Zenani, Dr S Zuma, E Mere, P Mnqayi, Dr M Molepo, A Mowayo, Dr M Mutepe, Dr S Nel, L Serongwa, C Sosibo, Dr S Vasuthevan, and Anelle Erasmus.
Image: Supplied
A monumental step forward for South African nursing leadership was realised earlier this month when the Department of Health and North-West University (NWU) officially launched the NurseLead programme, a pioneering initiative poised to empower both current and aspiring nurse leaders across the nation. This first-of-its-kind endeavour promises to reshape the landscape of nursing education and professional practice in South Africa.
The NurseLead programme is spearheaded by Professor Siedine Coetzee, the NWU National Research Foundation (NRF) Albertina Sisulu Research Chair in Nursing Science, alongside Dr Mirriam Matandela, South Africa’s chief nursing and midwifery officer within the National Department of Health. Their collaborative vision aims to facilitate a transformational approach to nursing leadership through a national education curriculum tailored for medical practitioners on the frontline.
During a dynamic two-day workshop on May 5 and 6, distinguished nursing academics converged with influential leaders in nursing practice. The gathering also featured representatives from prominent bodies such as the South African Nursing Council, the National Department of Health, and various nursing services from hospitals across the country. This innovative synergy forms the backbone of the NurseLead programme, bridging the gaps between theoretical frameworks and the demanding realities of South African healthcare.
At the core of NurseLead lies its collaborative ethos. Professor Coetzee expressed her elation at the programme's launch, stating, “This is a dream come true. I first envisioned a national nurse leadership academy when I applied for my NRF SARChI Chair, but this collaboration has far surpassed anything I imagined. The passion, expertise, and commitment around the table have been extraordinary.”
Developed in alignment with the National Department of Health's South African Nursing Leadership Competency Framework, which was unveiled in July 2025, the NurseLead curriculum is engineered to empower nurse leaders as they navigate real-world challenges faced in hospitals and community health settings. This educational initiative is set to conclude by the end of 2026, after which it will be piloted at various hospital facilities across the country.
Dr Matandela lauded the initiative as a significant milestone for nursing education and healthcare leadership, emphasising that the programme provides a unique opportunity to foster a new generation of nurse leaders. “Nursing education and practice came together to share their experience in developing a curriculum that will produce nurse leaders who can function efficiently and effectively within health establishments facing complex challenges that require commitment, dedication, and ethical decision-making,” she stated.
One of the programme’s distinguishing features is its strong focus on clinical governance and leadership, which Dr Matandela regards as vital to achieving Universal Health Coverage, as identified by the World Health Organization. Moreover, the NurseLead initiative resonates with the 2026 International Nurses Day theme, “Our Nurses, Our Future: Empowered Nurses save lives.”
The thought leaders of the NurseLead programme: Prof. SK Coetzee and Dr M Matandela, with Dr M Molepo, chairperson of the South African Nursing Council, and Prof. Karien Jooste, expert in nursing leadership and management in South Africa.
Image: Supplied
Highlighting the significance of this collaboration, Dr Matandela remarked on the profound engagement with a dedicated nurse academic such as Professor Coetzee, whose vision and dedication led to the programme's inception. This collaboration is designed to cultivate responsible, accountable, and responsive nurse leaders, who are equipped with robust emotional intelligence and ethical leadership capabilities. The goal is to create high-performing healthcare teams capable of addressing emerging challenges in South African healthcare.
NurseLead is more than just a programme — it represents a substantial investment in both nurses and the health of South Africa. The timing of its initiation during National Nurses Month, leading up to International Nurses Day on May 12, underscores the critical importance of celebrating the invaluable contributions nurses make to healthcare systems and society at large.
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