Delivered by the SayPro Royal Committee Deputy Chairperson
Theme: “Honoring the Heart of Healthcare”
Distinguished guests, SayPro leadership, esteemed elders, healthcare professionals, and most especially, our respected and beloved nurses—greetings of peace and deep gratitude to you all.
As the Deputy Chairperson of the SayPro Royal Committee, I stand before you with pride and purpose on this National Nurses Day 2025, to echo a message that cannot be said enough: we see you, we value you, and we honor you.
In our African traditions, we regard those who care for the sick and the vulnerable as sacred stewards of life. Nurses, in this modern age, continue to carry that sacred duty with grace, strength, and humility. You are not only professionals—you are protectors of our people, builders of resilience, and providers of hope.
Through the SayPro Centre for Medical Resources (CMR), we witness the daily sacrifices, long hours, and emotional strength that nurses demonstrate—not for glory or gain, but for the good of others. It is this spirit of service that deserves the full recognition of our nation, our communities, and our traditional leadership.
As the Royal Committee, we do not take lightly our role in bridging cultural heritage and modern progress. We stand firm in our belief that nurses are to be respected not just on this day, but in every policy, every community initiative, and every national dialogue.
This year, our Royal Committee will:
- Work alongside SayPro and CMR to host traditional appreciation ceremonies in honor of outstanding nurses
- Advocate for greater support and protection for rural and community health workers, especially nurses who serve in under-resourced areas
- Promote cultural healing practices and nursing collaboration, ensuring that indigenous knowledge and modern care coexist in harmony
- Encourage young people—especially young women—to see nursing as a profession of prestige, purpose, and power
Let us never forget: nurses are not behind the scenes. You are on the frontlines of health, hope, and humanity. You serve not just bodies, but spirits. And that is something we, as leaders and elders, deeply honor.
To every nurse—thank you for your service. May the ancestors walk with you. May your communities uplift you. And may your hearts remain filled with the pride of your purpose.
Happy National Nurses Day 2025.
May your light continue to guide our path toward healing and unity.
—
[Sapapi Johannes Mputla]
Deputy Chairperson
SayPro Royal Committee
“With Respect, We Rise for Our Nurses.”