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File image | Healthcare worker in hospital.
The North West Health Department says it has appointed over 1700 community healthcare workers on a permanent basis. This is as trade union, National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) took the national department to court, seeking permanent employment for these workers.
The Labour Court ordered that 27 000 community healthcare workers be appointed permanently countrywide.
Spokesperson for health department in North West Lucas Mothibedi says, “Over 1 774 have been employed on a permanent basis and MEC Sello Lehari has also mandated the department to explore all other means and opportunities that are available within the department to ensure that none of all that we have as community health workers are left behind. So, as North West we are satisfied, we are on the cause. We continue to do so, and we are hoping that at least by the end of this financial year, all community health workers at least those that are qualifying will be employed permanently.”
Meanwhile, Dorcas Motsamai of Motlhabeng village in Mahikeng, who has been working as Community Health Worker for the past 23 years, says she is one of those who were not absorbed by the department permanently due to lack of qualifications.
“The process is not fair; it hurt me by employing young people who do not have experience. What is really hurting is that we are the ones who taught them how we work and so on. Some who have experience went to the workshops and trainings. We are in possession of certificates but at the ultimate end we are overlooked. We want the department to employ us with the experience that we have, instead of asking us about matric certificates,” adds Motsamai.
Joint Media Statement of the North West Department of Health and NEHAWU about full time employment of Community Health Workers #LetsGrowNorthWestTogether pic.twitter.com/20hS00Er59
— North West Health (@NorthWestDOH) December 20, 2025
