by Ms Miseka Manjezi

Academic development of staff was aimed at enrolling Lilitha College Staff members in post graduate studies across multiple disciplines to deliver an innovative formal programme for the training of new nurse educators, and to enhance research capacity development. This was aimed at enhancing the staff’s academic competency.

HEAR WHAT THE GRADUATES HAD TO SAY: May 2017

Mrs Pumla Mugerwa graduated her Master’s degree in April 2017 from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. She registered in February 2015 and her title of the dissertation: The relationship between clinical learning environmental factors and the clinical competence of newly qualified registered nurses in public hospitals. “I would love to extend my gratitude to the Lilitha College of Nursing Management who not only identified the potential in me but also sponsored my research through the Sokhula Sonke project” said Mrs Mugerwa.

Above: “Lilitha College of Nursing lecturing staff who graduated with their BCur Honours Degree in Advanced Primary Health Care from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. From the left Lusikisiki Campus lecturer Mr Mahlangeni and on the right East London Campus Lecturer Mr Martins with their supervisor Prof Maggie Williams from NMMU. Their studies were funded by Sokhula Sonke Project 2.  Lecturers were allowed to study at the University of their Choice in South Africa. We thank Lilitha College of Nursing Management and Sokhula Sonke Project.” said Mr Martins.

Message from Mr Siyabonga Martins – Lecturer at East London Campus

My name is Siyabonga Martins and I am a lecturer @ Lilitha College of Nursing (LCoN) East London Campus. In 2013 I was fortunate enough to be chosen amongst group of young and energetic professional nurses who responded to the LCoN lecturer recruitment drive strategy. I then received an all-expenses paid study grant to study a post graduate diploma in nursing education at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) which I finished within record time. Because LCoN is committed in striving towards academic excellence and in order to achieve that the college management has priorities staff capacitation and preparation for the transition into higher education band was cited as a reason for such. I was then fortunate yet again to be awarded a second Sokhula Sonke study grant to study any nursing degree @ any South African university of my choice. Very special thank you to the LCoN Management for seeing the potential, commitment and drive in me and being able to invest in.me. Earlier this year (2017) I graduated with an Honours degree advanced primary health from NMMU and once again Sokhula Sonke incurred all the costs as a result of my Honours degree. Thank you to the Sokhula Sonke project as well as my employer of choice LCoN today I declare myself a confident and well qualified nurse educator who has the interests and needs of my nursing students at heart and on top of that I have a scarce skill thanks to Sokhula Sonke.

A message from Mr Mncedisi Mahlangeni below:

I have recently graduated my BCur Honours degree in Advanced Primary Health Care at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. The course was funded by SOKHULA SONKE PROJECT which covered the registration, tuition and book fees for the whole course. I am so overwhelmed with joy for my qualification i have obtained after a stressful academic journey. I greatly appreciate the financial assistance that I received from SOKHULASONKE project.

Below: A message from Mrs Sindiswa Maya: Lecturer at Lusikisiki campus

ACADEMIC PROGRESSION AND ACHIEVEMENT WITH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM SOKHULA SONKE PROJECT

I am Sindiswa Maya, registered with the SANC as a general, a community, a psychiatric nurse, a midwife, a nurse manager and a nurse educator. I am currently working as a nurse lecturer with Lilitha College of Nursing. Since 2006 my teaching has focused on Midwifery Nursing Science and Ethos and Professional Practice when I noted with concern that clinical performance was becoming a challenge for midwifery students, despite the lecturers’ efforts to adequately prepare them clinically before placing them for hands-on experience and learning.

The Lilitha College of Nursing management and academic staff encouraged the Midwifery lecturers to explore and have in-depth insight about this phenomenon. To respond to this call, I applied for a study leave to pursue my studies in Master of Nursing (Advanced Midwifery and Neonatal Nursing Science) with Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University.

The Sokhula Sonke Project (Atlantic Philantropies Initiative) funded my studies by paying my registration and tuition fees for two years. The title of my research was: The role of midwives with regard to clinical supervision of midwifery students under the supervision of Professor S. James. The results of the study determined the nature of clinical supervision provided by the registered midwives in the absence of midwifery lecturers and also identified factors that influenced their supervision role. Furthermore some recommendations that will assist nurse educators to enhance the support to the midwives in their role of clinical supervision of midwifery students were identified.

The financial support I gained from Sokhula Sonke Project enabled me to be a clinical specialist in the midwifery subject and a researcher which opened doors to strengthen the relationships between clinicians and the college academic staff. I wish to express my sincere gratitude to Lilitha College of Nursing, Department of Health and the Sokhula Sonke Project for giving me an opportunity to pursue my studies further at the expense of the college time.

Below: Mr Versatile Hlungwane: Lecturer Lusikisiki Campus: Graduated in April 2017 : Honours degree in Critical care Nursing from NMMU

”Assistance is constantly appreciated when it is aiming at sustaining and inspiring the eventual fate of the society and the country as a whole. This is the means by which I feel after I requested funding from Lilitha College of Nursing for my studies. With the knowledge and skills that I have gained through a philanthropic gesture by Sokhula Sonke, such experience will construe a consignment to the next generation. I now believe that I am disparate, eclectic whose lecturing skills aggrandize alacrity to students. I now hold a Bachelor of Nursing Honours in Critical Care Nursing from NMMU.

‘Akwande lapho uthathe khona’”

 

Watch this space more pics and stories are coming …………………….