The Eastern Cape Provincial Government, led by Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane and Health MEC Ntandokazi Capa, will on Thursday, 29 October 2026, officially open the Oncology Unit at Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital in Mthatha.
The R416 million state-of-the-art oncology centre marks a significant milestone in expanding access to specialised cancer care in the Eastern Cape, particularly for patients from the eastern parts of the province, including OR Tambo, Alfred Nzo, Chris Hani and Joe Gqabi Districts. Patients requiring radiotherapy from these areas have had to be referred from Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital in Mthatha to oncology centres in KuGompo City and Gqeberha, adding long-distance travel and extended periods away from families to an already difficult cancer treatment journey.
The new facility brings together comprehensive oncology services, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, brachytherapy and specialised inpatient care, reducing the need for patients to travel long distances to access essential cancer treatment. Equipped with two Linear Accelerator (LINAC) machines and providing 68 dedicated inpatient beds, including 30 beds for female oncology patients, 30 beds for male oncology patients and 8 paediatric and neonatal oncology beds, the centre strengthens the province’s capacity to deliver specialised cancer services closer to the communities that need them.
Designed to support patients throughout their treatment journey, the centre includes an outpatient department with consultation rooms, counselling facilities and resuscitation capacity. It also houses a dedicated oncology pharmacy with chemotherapy mixing and dispensing areas, chemotherapy treatment areas, isolation rooms, procedure and treatment rooms, nursing stations, patient holding areas and recovery facilities.
A suspended link bridge connects the new oncology centre to the existing Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital, providing access to essential supporting services, including radiology, laboratories, theatres and the Central Sterile Services Department. The building has also been designed to accommodate an additional two floors in the future, allowing for potential expansion as demand for specialised oncology services grows.
For the Eastern Cape, the opening represents a major step in shifting highly specialised healthcare closer to communities that have historically had to travel the furthest to access it.
Members of the media are invited to cover this important milestone as follows:
Event: Official opening of Oncology Unit
Date: Thursday, 29 October 2026
Venue: Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital, Mthatha, Eastern Cape
Time: 14h00
Members of the media will have an opportunity to tour the new oncology facility, view its specialised treatment infrastructure and engage health leadership and oncology specialists on the expansion of cancer services in the province.
Enquiries:
Mr Siyanda Manana
Provincial Department of Health
Cell: 083 378 1646
E-mail: Siyanda.Manana@echealth.gov.za
Khuselwa Rantjie
Government Spokesperson
Cell: 081 028 8841
E-mail: khuselwa.rantjie@ecotp.gov.za
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