28 August 2025

FOR ATTENTION     :   NEWS EDITOR

SUBJECT :                  SANC WARNS AGAINST FRAUD
DATE :                         28 August 2025

The South African Nursing Council (SANC) has issued an urgent warning to employers, nurses and the public at large with regards to the SANC Registration Certificates, Annual Practicing Certificates (APCs) and epaulettes (distinguishing devices).

The South African Nursing Council is the body entrusted to set and maintain standards of nursing education and practice in the Republic of South Africa.  It is an autonomous, financially independent, statutory body operating under the Nursing Act, 2005 (Act No. 33 of 2005). The SANC is responsible for the issuing of registration certificates to duly qualified nurses. To this end it takes several measures to protect the authenticity of the nurse certificates.

It has come to the SANC’s attention that fraudulent certificates of registration purporting to be SANC certificates as well as Annual Practicing Certificates are being  duplicated and/or fraudulently created and openly sold to nurses and non-nurses as SANC certificates of registration and of annual practice.

Says Prof Ntombifikile Mtshali, Registrar and CEO of the SANC:” The sale of these copies of fraudulent certificates and distinguishing devices is a criminal offence and is very concerning as the well-being of healthcare users is put at stake – imagine being treated by someone who has fraudulently come into possession of  a registration and/or practicing certificate. The SANC is calling on the public, nurses and employers to contact us if you have any information about the sale of these fraudulent certificates. All information will be handled with the strictest level of confidence. Information can be sent to email address:  [email protected] or by phoning Tel. (012) 420-1074.”

Employers are reminded to always check the authenticity of their employees’ certificates by consulting the SANC eRegister at:  www.sanc.co.za/eregister/ 

The well-being of patients, your loved ones, is at stake – please do the right thing and report these fraudulent activities by using the channels provided above. It could be you or a family member who are treated by fraudulently registered nurses in the future if we do not bring these perpetrators to task.

——————————————————- ENDS———————————————————

Issued by:

Mrs. Adri Van Eeden

Senior Manager:  Communication, Marketing and Client Services

South African Nursing Council

E-mail:  [email protected]

Website:  www.sanc.co.za   

Tel:  012 426-9542

Official Spokesperson and person to be quoted:

Prof NG Mtshali

Registrar and CEO:  SA Nursing Council

For more information or to arrange for an interview with the Spokesperson, please contact                                                 Mrs. Adri Van Eeden on Tel. (012) 426-9542 or email:  [email protected] or

Ms. P. Moloi, Communication Manager on Tel. (012) 420-1017, email:  [email protected]

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10 July 2025

FOR ATTENTION     :   NEWS EDITOR

SUBJECT :                  SANC Registrar and CEO named as 2024 Top Scholar by ScholarGPS
DATE :                           10 July 2025

The South African Nursing Council would like to congratulate its Registrar and CEO, Professor Ntombifikile Gloria Mtshali, also Associate Professor of the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), on being named a 2024 Top Scholar by ScholarGPS. Prof Mtshali ranks among the top 0.5% of scholars globally in the field of Nurse Education.

ScholarGPS, a globally recognised academic analytics platform, celebrates top-performing scholars for their exceptional contributions across disciplines. Prof Mtshali received recognition in two distinguished categories:

• Top Scholar – Lifetime: Ranked #137 globally in Nurse Education
• Top Scholar – Past 5 Years: Ranked #22 globally in Nurse Education.

This recognition reflects Prof Mtshali’s exceptional research output, global impact, and commitment to strengthening nursing and midwifery education both in South Africa and internationally.

With more than 90 peer-reviewed journal articles, including 76 published in DHET-accredited journals, 15 book chapters, and contributions to 11 World Health Organization (WHO) reports, Prof Mtshali’s scholarly work continues to shape global health policy. Several of her co-authored articles have been cited in WHO’s State of the World’s Nursing Reports (2020 and 2025) and the Nursing and Midwifery Workforce in the Africa Region 2022 report.

She has successfully supervised 21 PhD and 34 master’s students across the African continent and served in influential leadership roles including:

• Dean of Teaching and Learning, College of Health Sciences, UKZN
• Head of the Nursing Department, UKZN
• Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing and Midwifery at UKZN
• South Africa Country Manager for the Nursing Education Partnership Initiative (NEPI) under ICAP at Columbia University.

In addition, Prof Mtshali has led and provided technical support to World Health Organisation (WHO) regional task teams in countries such as Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Lesotho, Namibia, Rwanda, and Tanzania, and served as a visiting professor to develop nurse educator capacity and competency-based training programmes.

She is a member and fellow of several professional organisations, including the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International, the Academy of Nursing in South Africa, and the African Forum for Research and Education in Health (AFREhealth).

On behalf of the SANC Council, Management and Staff we would like to commend and congratulate Prof Mtshali on this remarkable global recognition and thank her for her continued leadership, mentorship, and contribution to healthcare transformation.

——————————————————- ENDS———————————————————

Issued by:

Mrs. Adri van Eeden: Senior Manager: Communication and Marketing

Official Spokesperson and person to be quoted:

Dr MC Molepo

Chairperson: SA Nursing Council

For more information or to arrange for an interview with the Spokesperson, please contact Mrs. Adri van Eeden on Tel. (012) 426-9542 or email: [email protected] or

Ms. P. Moloi on Tel. (012) 420-1017, email: [email protected]

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12 May 2025

FOR ATTENTION     :   NEWS EDITOR

SUBJECT :                  INTERNATIONAL NURSES DAY 2025
DATE :                           12 MAY 2025

International Nurses Day is celebrated globally on 12 May each year. The theme for 2025 is: Our Nurses. Our Future. Caring for Nurses strengthens economies.

The South African Nursing Council, (SANC) the regulatory body for nurses in South Africa, would like to wish all nurses a happy International Nurses Day.

The 2025 International Nurses Day theme by the International Council of Nurses shifts focus to the health and wellbeing of nurses. It also underscores the critical role a healthy nursing workforce plays in strengthening economies, improving health systems, and ensuring better outcomes for communities and healthcare service users.

The SANC affirms the SA Government in its call for nurses to engage in advocacy and lobbying and to be involved in the development of any programme introduced to improve health services as it is nurses who have the practical knowledge of how health service delivery can be designed, coordinated and effectively implemented.1

Prof NG Mtshali, SANC Registrar and CEO highlighted the fact that as the world is celebrating this significant day, the SANC is prioritizing the education and training of nurses so that the needs of the country can be addressed with regards to the shortage of nurses in general and nurse specialists in

particular. The SANC, through its Impairment Committee, is also prioritizing support to nurses found to be unfit for practice with the aim to rehabilitate the nurse, improve their condition, and ensure they can safely return to practice.

“The well-being of nurses is of critical importance as they are often the first responders to healthcare needs and often the only health professionals accessible to many people within a community. If nurses are not able to take care of the sick healthcare service users, the sick would not be able to work and thus the economy is affected – hence the theme for 2025: Our Nurses. Our Future. Caring for Nurses strengthens economies,” says Prof Mtshali.

To all the Nurses who continue to selflessly provide high-quality care, your commitment to making life better for others is valued and inspiring.

——————————————————- ENDS———————————————————

Issued by:

Ms. P. Moloi

Manager: Communication and Marketing

South African Nursing Council

E-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.sanc.co.za

Tel: 012 420-1017

Official Spokesperson and person to be quoted:

Prof NG Mtshali
Registrar and CEO: SA Nursing Council

For more information or to arrange for an interview with the Spokesperson, please contact Ms. P. Moloi on Tel. (012) 420-1017, email: [email protected]

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13 February 2025

FOR ATTENTION     :   NEWS EDITOR

SUBJECT :                  SA NURSING COUNCIL STRONGLY CONDEMNS VIOLENCE AGAINST NURSES
DATE :                           13 FEBRUARY 2025

The South African Nursing Council (SANC) is dismayed and outraged about the continuing spate of violence against nurses in the country. The recent (January 2025) violent attack on two nurses from Ga-Chuene Clinic once again highlighted the demise of the moral fibre of our country. These two nurses were forcefully taken from their place of work by the perpetrator, after overpowering Security guards.

SANC Chairperson Dr MC Molepo says:  “It is appalling that nurses are threatened and improperly assaulted whilst performing professional duties, by serving their communities. The protection of nurses should be at the forefront of health managers in our country where the shortage of nurses is a major concern. What the perpetrators in this country do not seem to understand is that nursing is not only a critical skill, but a scarce critical skill, and that often these nurses in villages are the communities’ only answer to healthcare. This was another eye-opener about the crime levels in this country that is out of hand and seemingly ignored at the cost of those who least deserve it. As the SANC we are saying:  Hands off of our nurses!

The Chief Nursing Officer, Dr Jabu Makhanya and I travelled to Ga-Chuene in support of these nurses, and a month after this incident the pure evil and horror of this attack still lingers in ones mind. These nurses are in our prayers and the SANC and National Department of Health are supporting them where possible.”

The SANC applauds the efforts of the police to learn that the perpetrator in the Ga-Chuene case has been apprehended and call for the full force of the law.

The SANC also continues to acknowledge the dedication of nurses who continues to serve the South African population with diligence ensuring access to health care.

—————– ENDS————————————

Issued by:

Mrs. Adri van Eeden
Senior Manager: Communication and Marketing
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.sanc.co.za
Tel: 012 426 9492

Official Spokesperson and person to be quoted:
Dr C Molepo SANC Chairperson OR
Prof. NG Mtshali Registrar and Chief Executive Officer

For more information or to arrange for an interview with the Spokesperson, please contact Mrs. A van Eeden on Tel. (012) 426 9542 or email: [email protected] or Ms Party-Day Moloi, on Tel. (012) 420-1017 or email: [email protected]

Click the link below to download the Communique

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22 January 2025

FOR ATTENTION     :   NEWS EDITOR

SUBJECT :                    RE-ACCREDITATION OF NURSING PROGRAMMES FOR CHRIS HANI BARAGWANATH NURSING COLLEGE
DATE :                           22 JANUARY 2025

The South Africa Nursing Council (SANC) has taken note of social media comments or information regarding the re-accreditation of Chris Hani Baragwanath Nursing College (CHBN) and its implications.

The SANC accredits or re-accredits nursing programs in accordance with the Nursing Act, 2005 (Act No. 33 of 2005) and its Regulations. Matters pertaining to accreditation or re-accreditation are discussed with the relevant Nursing Education Institution.

The SANC wishes to state categorically that recent communication on social media is not from the SANC and is considered fake and a misrepresentation of information. The SANC distances itself from this misinformation and condemns it.

—————– ENDS————————————

Issued by:

Ms Party Day Moloi
Acting Senior Manager: Communication and Marketing
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.sanc.co.za
Tel: 012 420 1017

Official Spokesperson and person to be quoted:
Prof NG Mtshali
Registrar and CEO: SA Nursing Council

For more information or to arrange for an interview with the Spokesperson, please contact Ms. P. Moloi, Acting Senior Manager: Communication and Marketing on Tel. (012) 420-1017, email: [email protected]

Click the link below to download the Communique

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8 November 2024

FOR ATTENTION     :   NEWS EDITOR

SUBJECT :                    SANC CELEBRATING 80 YEARS OF SELF-REGULATION
DATE :                           08 NOVEMBER 2024

The South African Nursing Council (SANC) will be celebrating 80 years of self-regulation on Friday 08 November 2024.

The nursing profession in South Africa obtained self-regulation on 08 November 1944. The Council held its first Council meeting, and legally enforceable registration was accomplished.

The transition to a democratic dispensation led to changes in the regulating of the nursing profession in South Africa. In early 1994 a Ministerial delegation from the four “homeland” Councils, led by the ANC’s Ms Cherly Carolus, was tasked with drafting a Nursing Act that would reflect democratic principles. The positive output of the delegation was the repeal of the Nursing Acts of the Transkei, Bophuthatswana, Venda, and Ciskei (TBVC) states and the institution of the Interim Nursing Council from 1995 up to 1998.

The inauguration of the first democratic Nursing Council took place in June 1998 – the first among all professional councils to establish a democratic Council. Professor V Gumbi was appointed as the President/Chairperson of this first Council. This Council continued with the transformative process, leading to the (current) Nursing Act, 2005 (Act No. 33 of 2005).

The SANC has made significant strides in the regulation of the nursing profession under the governance of the respective Councils and has come a long way in implementing the Nursing Act of 2005. Guided by its 17th Council under the Chairpersonship of Dr Matlou Molepo, the SANC is now serving in excess of 268 000 nurses and midwives. Other key milestones that have been achieved include:
• Developing Nursing education and training standards as well as the Nursing Practice Standards as part of regulating the profession.
• Establishing an Impairment Committee in 2008 to manage practitioners who cannot execute nursing duties with reasonable skills and safety.
• Renaming the South African Nursing Council building to Cecilia Makiwane Building in 2012 in recognition of her being the first African registered Professional Nurse in South Africa on 7 January 1908.
• Phasing-out of legacy nursing qualifications and phasing in nursing education qualifications that are aligned to the Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework, that lead to registration of nurses to categories in the Nursing Act, 2005.
• Launch of the new SANC logo and slogan in 2019 as part of celebrating the SANC’s 75th anniversary whilst keeping the Seal of the SANC.
• Expanding the footprint of the SANC by leading the establishment of the SADC Nursing and Midwifery Regulator’s Forum in 2022.
• In March 2023 the SANC unveiled a Wall of Remembrance in memory of those nurses who succumbed to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in that same year hosted its first Nursing Excellence Awards for nurses, nurse students and Nursing Education Institutions.

Taking the SANC into future, SANC Registrar and CEO, Prof NG Mtshali says: “The SANC is embracing the fourth industrial revolution with a targeted and consistent plan to digitize its services to nurses and stakeholders, ensuring optimal service delivery via a host of different platforms. The SANC will be introducing a Member Management System (MMS) as of next year to further digitize areas of importance to nurses. Among these will be the online availability of the Annual Practicing Certificates. We are also looking forward to introducing Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for nurses now that the pilot studies have been completed.

We are looking forward to the next decade working collaboratively with the nurses and stakeholders in advancing the profession.”

The South African Nursing Council – celebrating 80 years of self-regulation.

Issued by:
Mrs. Adri Van Eeden
Senior Manager: Communication, Marketing and Client Services
South African Nursing Council
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.sanc.co.za
Tel: 012 426-9542

Official Spokesperson and person to be quoted:
Prof NG Mtshali
Registrar and CEO: SA Nursing Council

For more information or to arrange for an interview with the Spokesperson, please contact Mrs. Adri Van Eeden on Tel. (012) 426-9542 or email: [email protected] or
Ms. P. Moloi, Communication Manager on Tel. (012) 420-1017, email: [email protected]

Click the link below to download the Communique

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10 May 2024

FOR ATTENTION     :   NEWS EDITORS

SUBJECT                     :   NURSES: THE ECONOMIC POWER OF CARE – INTERNATIONAL NURSES DAY 2024

DATE                             :   Friday 10 May 2024

International Nurses Day is celebrated globally on 12 May each year. The theme for this year is:  Our Nurses. Our Future. The economic power of care.

The South African Nursing Council, the regulatory body for nurses in South Africa, would like to wish all nurses a happy International Nurses Day.

Prof. Ntombifikile Mtshali, SANC Registrar and CEO affirming the ICN 2024 International Nurses Day Theme says: “Nurses are vital to the sustainability and effectiveness of healthcare systems, making the economic investment in nursing a priority. Without nurses, the right to healthcare for all cannot be achieved.

Nursing is a noble profession which requires the highest degree of professionalism, ethical leadership and practice, resilience, dedication and care. The health system cannot function without nursing as its backbone – a lesson that was learnt by all during the COVID-19 pandemic. Across the world reports on nursing workforce point to a dire and chronic shortage of nurses, and never has the time been more apt to invest more in nursing than right now. The International Nurses Day presents an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the incredible work of all the nurses; their selfless contribution to saving lives and providing quality of care to all.  To reiterate the words of the ICN President, Pamela Cipriano:  Nursing is not a cost, it is an investment into our economy, as a healthy economy requires healthy minds and bodies to support it, making nursing’s economic and societal benefits a key consideration.”

Join us today in showing appreciation for every nurse working tirelessly towards the health of this nation.

ENDS

Issued by:

Mrs. Adri van Eeden

Senior Manager:  Communication and Marketing

South African Nursing Council

E-mail:  [email protected]

Website:  www.sanc.co.za

Tel:  012 426-9542

Official Spokesperson and person to be quoted:

Prof NG Mtshali

Registrar and CEO:  SA Nursing Council

For more information or to arrange for an interview with the Spokesperson, please contact                                       

Mrs. Adri van Eeden on Tel. (012) 426-9542 or email:   [email protected]

OR

Ms. P Moloi on Tel. (012) 420-1017 or email:  [email protected]

Click the link below to download the Communique

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25 January 2024

FOR ATTENTION     :   NEWS EDITORS

SUBJECT                     :  SANC reiterates its warning against so-called bogus nursing schools

DATE                             :  Wednesday 24 January 2024

 ————————————————————————————————————————–

The South African Nursing Council (SANC) issued another warning today regarding so-called bogus nursing schools that are offering nursing programmes with such schools not being accredited by the SANC.

School children are already planning and in some case paying for their careers at this time of the year, especially those in Matric, and will be seeking opportunities to better their future.  They are at risk of being lured innocently into paying huge amounts of money and to enroll at institutions purporting to offer nursing education programmes when they are not accredited by the South African Nursing Council (SANC).

SANC Registrar and CEO, Prof Ntombifikile Mtshali cautioned the public: “Learners intending to study nursing and nursing students need to ensure that their training institution is accredited and that they are registered with the SA Nursing Council as students, in terms of Section 32 of the Nursing Act. They can do this by consulting the SANC website:  www.sanc.co.za

Learners and nursing students further need to note that the SANC issues a registration certificate to the Nursing Education Institutions (NEI) for each student upon submission of required documentation by the NEI. Such certificate should be provided to the student by the NEI.

The SANC has further been made aware that bogus institutions are expecting the students to deposit huge sums of money as entry fee, and we would like to warn students and potential students not to pay any fees until they are sure that the institution has been accredited.”

The names of the accredited NEIs are available on the SANC website at www.sanc.co.za under QUICK LINKS, ACCREDITED NEIs.

————————————————–ENDS——————————————————–

Issued by:

Mrs. Adri van Eeden

Senior Manager:  Communication and Marketing

South African Nursing Council

E-mail:  [email protected]

Website:  www.sanc.co.za

Tel:  012 426-9542

Official Spokesperson and person to be quoted:

Prof NG Mtshali

Registrar and CEO:  SA Nursing Council

For more information or to arrange for an interview with the Spokesperson, please contact                                       

Mrs. Adri van Eeden on Tel. (012) 426-9542 or email:   [email protected]

OR

Ms. P Moloi on Tel. (012) 420-1017 or email:  [email protected]

Click the link below to download the Communique

Download PDF     

Media-Release-SANC-welcomes-the-new-Chairperson-and-Vice-Chairperson
22 November 2023

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