Master’s-degree student Sibongile Dlaba’s innovative research on healthcare incident reporting won her an award at the 5th African Nursing Conference.

“Being named the winner of the Best Oral Presentation award at a continental conference was an incredibly humbling and empowering experience,” says Dlaba, with her voice filled with emotion after her remarkable achievement.

Dlaba recently walked away with the Best Oral Presentation award at the prestigious 5th African Nursing Conference, held at the Birchwood Hotel Conference Centre in Boksburg. This award represents more than just individual success.

“Seeing the hard work of many hours of preparation acknowledged on such a prestigious platform was satisfying. More than a personal achievement, it was a moment of pride at being able to represent my research team and the NWU on a continental level, knowing that my research had relevance and impact beyond my immediate environment.”

Her winning presentation, titled Successes and challenges in the implementation of patient safety incident reporting guidelines in South Africa, derived from her master’s-degree dissertation.

Dlaba’s study delves into the implementation of national guidelines for reporting patient safety incidents in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District. Her personal nursing experience is the source of her commitment to this crucial field and her passion for patient safety.

“The aim was to foster an environment in which healthcare workers voluntarily report incidents without fear, enabling hospitals to learn from mistakes and improve care,” she explains.

The path to victory

The journey to continental recognition was both challenging and beneficial. Dlaba overcame logistical issues and the sensitive nature of her research topic, while also balancing her studies with a full-time job and being a wife and mother.

“There were days when the workload felt overwhelming, but my family’s support anchored me,” she says.

“Many healthcare workers were reluctant to share their experiences openly due to fear of blame or repercussions. It was particularly important to build trust with participants, especially in a place where speaking up could have professional consequences.”

The dedication of her supervisors also played a key role.

Mentorship leads to excellence

Supervisor Dr Sabelile Tenza, a patient safety expert at the NuMIQ research entity at the NWU, described her supervision philosophy as a holistic, comprehensive approach that integrates coaching, mentorship and skills development.

“We believe in putting together coaching and mentorship, pushing students beyond just getting a degree,” Dr Tenza said.

What made Dlaba's journey particularly remarkable was her growth throughout the process. “Sibongile came in with little research background but grew tremendously. We held a trial run of her presentation two days before the conference to ensure it was at the highest level,” Dr Tenza explained.

Dr Tenza stated that Dlaba’s dedication to quality and safety in healthcare has flourished as she took the initiative to establish quality-improvement teams in the hospital she serves in.

Co-supervisor Dr Nicholin Scheepers, senior lecturer and clinical programme leader at the NuMIQ research entity, emphasised that Dlaba’s achievement highlights the powerful impact of strong mentorship.

“To a master’s-degree student, a Best Oral Presentation award is proof of how guidance, feedback and early exposure to professional platforms can help students master the research process and confidently engage diverse audiences.”

The future

Dlaba desires to turn her research into real improvements in patient care while continuing the fight for healthcare systems that are safer and more helpful. Her journey exemplifies dedication of the NWU to developing leaders capable of addressing South Africa's most pressing healthcare issues.

“This award has reinforced my confidence as a researcher, and it is a reminder that patient safety is not just a policy. It is a promise we make to every person who walks into a hospital.”

Healthcare leaders, practitioners and advocates across the continent came together at the 5th African Nursing Conference. This year’s theme, Empowering nurses as catalysts for health equity: bridging gaps and building inclusive health systems to strengthen responses to health crises, focused on addressing inequalities, promoting collaboration and encouraging the development of resilient healthcare systems.

Supervisor Dr Sabelile Tenza (left) and co-supervisor Dr Nicholin Scheepers (right).

Winning this award reinforced my confidence as a researcher,” says Sibongile Dlaba.