Medical Services' Posthumous awards
10 February 2009
The Eastern Cape Department of Health on Sunday, 8 February held the
Emergency Medical Services Posthumous awards targeted at the employees who died
in the line of duty in 2008.
Seven members were awarded plaques engraved with their names and number of
years that they have served the Department of Health (DoH). The awards were
received by the relatives, wives, sons and daughters of the fallen heroes.
The Superintendent-General for the Eastern Cape Health Mr L Boya introduced
the programme for the evening. "Emergency Medical Services (EMS) plays an
integral role to the department and community; these employees dedicate their
selves to providing emergency treatment and/or transporting patients to health
institutions. These employees encounter challenges such as poor road
conditions, hi-jacking and at times their lives taken in the line of duty.
Sometime last year we celebrated in this same town the departmental staff
achievements that have been achieved yet we did not honour those who died in
the line of duty. We acknowledge and recognise their service, we are here today
to honour those heroes who died in line of duty," Boya said.
The Honourable MEC for Health, Ms Pemmy Majodina told the tearful audience
that the day belonged to the families and relatives of the heroes and heroines
who died serving the nation.
"When I look at EMS members wearing their uniform, it brings hope to the
people. I believe that you will ensure that their death is not in vain by doing
what is right and that is to save lives. Awards are supposed to celebrate
achievements of individuals or institutions that have excelled in the discharge
of duty, excellence is central in the way in which we treat our people and the
way we conduct ourselves as well as our attitudes to work," MEC Majodina
said.
Ms Nomonde Mhlobisi, who spoke on behalf of all the families that received
the awards, said "We are thrilled to be here tonight accepting the awards on
behalf of our late relatives. The pain we felt when first knowing that they are
no more started afresh. While we were crying when receiving the awards some
were crying because they are not able to take good care of their kids and to
send them to school. I am pleading with the Department of Health therefore to
open a fund specifically for the members of Emergency Medical Services as their
routine work is dangerous," said Mhlobiso.
The following people were posthumously awarded plaques in recognition of
their long, loyal and dedicated service: 1. Mr Gebashe EN, 35 years of service.
He was stationed in Umthatha EMS Metro and died while still in service in 2006.
2. Mr Mhlobiso M, 25 years of service and was stationed in Port Elizabeth EMS
Metro. He died on 3 July 2006 while still in service. 3. Mr Strydom DA, 23
years of service and was stationed in Port Elizabeth EMS Metro. He died while
still in service on 29 December 2007. 4. Makabane SG, 20 years of service and
was stationed in Port Elizabeth EMS Metro. He died on 26 March 2008 while still
in service.
The following were posthumously awarded for their loyal and dedicated
service: 1. Mr Sizila Bongani was stationed in Port Elizabeth EMS Metro. He
died on 9 June 2008. 2. Mr Ngetu Mthobeli Christopher was stationed in East
London EMS Metro assisting the Cathcart base as well. He was involved in a
collision on the early hours of 16 December 2005 in King Williamstown while on
their way back to East London from Cathcart. 3. Mr Ngoma Vuyani was under the
Queenstown EMS Metro, stationed in Tarkastad. He partnered with Mr Mpondwana
Mandile. On 1 August 2008 they were requested to fetch a discharged patient
from Frontier Hospital. On their way back they were involved in an accident and
Mr Ngoma was one of the people who died on the scene.
Issued by: Department of Health, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
10 February 2009
Source: Eastern Cape Provincial Government (http://www.ecdoh.gov.za)
