Delivered by the Chief Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, SayPro
Date: 06 May 2025
Theme: “Honoring the Heart of Healthcare”
Good morning to all SayPro colleagues, distinguished guests, and above all—our remarkable nurses.
Today, on National Nurses Day 2025, we gather not only to celebrate, but to honor, acknowledge, and reflect on the tireless contributions made by nurses across South Africa and beyond.
As the Chief Monitoring and Evaluation Officer at SayPro, my role is focused on measuring the effectiveness, impact, and value of every initiative we launch. And when we look closely—across every health programme, every outreach, every life touched—one constant stands out: the unwavering impact of nurses.
The data is clear. The results are undeniable. Nurses are the backbone of healthcare delivery, and their efforts are at the centre of every successful intervention we evaluate through the SayPro Centre for Medical Resources (CMR).
But beyond the numbers, beyond the metrics and reports, there is something even more powerful—the human stories. Stories of nurses who walk miles to reach remote communities. Nurses who comfort families in crisis. Nurses who continue their duties even when resources are scarce and challenges are high.
So today, we go beyond the charts and performance indicators. Today, we recognize that impact cannot always be quantified, because the true value of a nurse lies in empathy, dedication, and the lives transformed through care.
At SayPro, our commitment to nurses is part of our broader commitment to sustainability, accountability, and measurable progress. That’s why in 2025, we are proud to introduce:
- The SayPro Nursing Impact Tracker, which will measure the social and community value created by our nurses, using both data and human-centered evaluation approaches.
- The Nurse-Led Solutions Lab, a new initiative to elevate frontline nurse feedback and integrate it into programme design and policy decisions.
- Quarterly Nurse Outcome Reviews, where we turn data into action by improving work environments, support systems, and training initiatives based on real-time feedback.
These initiatives are not just about numbers. They are about using evidence to uplift, empower, and honor those who make the biggest difference.
To every nurse in our SayPro network and across the country: you are seen, you are heard, and your work is changing lives every day. You are not only caregivers—you are leaders in driving health outcomes, shaping community resilience, and inspiring a healthier tomorrow.
On behalf of the Monitoring and Evaluation Division at SayPro:
Thank you for your sacrifice. Thank you for your excellence. Thank you for your humanity.
Happy National Nurses Day 2025.
Let’s continue to measure not just what we do, but the lives we touch—together.
Thank you.
[Tsakani Rikhotso]
Chief Monitoring and Evaluation Officer
SayPro
SayPro CMR – Tracking Progress, Celebrating People