Thembisile Hani — The Mpumalanga Health MEC Sasekani Manzini announced during an oversight on 09 February 2026 that residents of Thembisile Hani Local Municipality now have access to four full-time doctors deployed at Moloto, Thembalethu, Vlaklaagte and Kwaggafontein clinics.
“People used to be given referral letters to go to KwaMhlanga Hospital even for services that could be provided at clinic level. That will no longer be the case. These doctors will now attend to patients here in their own communities,” said Manzini.
The deployment forms part of the provincial government’s Ezempilo Ebantwini campaign, a programme aimed at improving conditions at public healthcare facilities and accelerating interventions where challenges exist.
“We urge people to utilise departmental healthcare services optimally. Come to our clinics to get tested for various diseases so that necessary interventions can be made. Our doors are always open,” she said.
Manzini added that bringing doctors closer to residents would not only lessen burdens to hospitals but also make healthcare more accessible and convenient.
“These doctors were trained by the government and sent to school to acquire these skills. Now they are back to serve the very communities they come from,” Manzini said.
The MEC acknowledged that long waiting times remain one of the department’s biggest challenges, largely due to staff shortages.
“Even when nurses are doing their best, patients still wait long hours because facilities are understaffed. Deploying doctors is one of the steps we are taking to improve service delivery,” she said.
Residents welcomed the news, saying it would save them time, transport costs and long hours in hospital queues.
Mfathelwa Mashiyane, an elderly resident said, “I’m very happy about this. It means I won’t have to wake up very early to travel to KwaMhlanga Hospital and stand in long queues. I just hope the doctors will treat us with respect.”
Resident Sarah Nkos said the presence of doctors would especially benefit pregnant women. “It will now be easier for women when they go into labour. Before, we had to wait for an ambulance to take us to the hospital during emergencies. Now help will be closer to us,” she said.
The initiative also aligns with the goals of the upcoming National Health Insurance (NHI), which seeks to ensure equal access to quality healthcare for all South Africans.
“The Mpumalanga Department of Health remains committed to building a healthy and developed society, as guided by Section 27 of the Constitution. We will continue investing in the people we serve and improving healthcare services across the province,” she said.
