GEORGE NEWS - The Western Cape's Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa's (Denosa) ninth provincial congress, which coincided with International Nurses Day, provided a rare opportunity for some of the province's persevering nursing professionals to let loose and enjoy themselves.
This annual worldwide commemoration falls on Florence Nightingale's day of birth, on 12 May 1820.
Nightingale, who trained and managed nurses during the Crimean War and organised care for the wounded soldiers at Constantinople, is widely lauded as the founder of modern nursing.
This year it was Denosa Southern Cape Karoo region's turn to host the annual celebrations. Held at the George Municipality on Thursday 22 May, the occasion served to give recognition to nursing professionals' continued hard work and sacrifice.
There were addresses by industry leaders, lucky draws and catering, interspersed with spontaneous singing and jiving in response to messages of thanks and pledges of continued support from social partners.
A heartfelt musical performance by Travino Lotz of Life Renal, George, had the crowd on their feet. The event concluded with a ceremonial lighting of candles in memory of the nursing world's fallen heroes, a recital of the Nurses' Pledge and the cutting of some cakes.
Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital was represented by Beverley McGee, Carol Vermeulen, Given Jantjies and Margareth Dankers.
Annemarie Pienaar has been a trade union member since 1984
Tasneem Meiring, Tanya Oerson, Gladonesja Albertyn, Christina Gertse and Shaida Simons came all the way from Riversdale Hospital
There were two cakes at the cake cutting ceremony. One was set alight to reveal a celebratory message
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