Two nursing students from the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus, Sakhile Ngcobo and Tshiamo Mokgoetsi, have been selected to take part in the Health and Social Care skill category of the WorldSkills South Africa national competition on 28 March 2022.

They will be competing for the chance to represent South Africa at the 46th International WorldSkills Competition which will be held from 12-17 October 2022 in Shanghai, China.

These two students were selected from the four NWU finalists who took part in the challenging provincial leg of the competition at two venues – Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Campus of the KZN Nursing College, and the NWU’s Mahikeng Campus from 17-19 February 2022. Two winners were announced from each of these events.

During the provincial competition, 20 contestants were tested on their knowledge and grasp of their respective talents in simulated hospital and clinic scenarios.

WorldSkills and the Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority (HWSETA) – co-hosts of the WorldSkills South Africa competition – awarded each of the 20 competitors postgraduate bursaries to further their studies. Furthermore, the four provincial winners (two from the NWU and two from KZN), will also receive driving lessons to obtain their driver’s licenses and the offer of employment after completing their studies.

The national winner will receive a post-qualification bursary for further development as nursing educator or lecturer. 

“I feel so blessed and honoured to have made it this far into the competition,” says Tshiamo. “Winning was in my thoughts, yes, but now having to live it as reality has blown me away. More than anything I give thanks to the Almighty.”

Sakhile, who is a fourth-year student, says he is very excited about being chosen to participate in the national leg of the competition.

“I thank all the people who supported and helped me to practice for the provincial competition. My focus is now on preparing for the national competition.”

School of Nursing lecturer Boitumelo Molato says they are delighted with the two students’ achievement.

“Our focus will now be on supporting and coaching Tshiamo and Sakhile to represent the NWU to the best of their ability in the national competition.” 

 Sakhile Ngcobo and Tshiamo Mokgoetsi.