Mahlatse Precious Sekgobela, a third-year nursing student at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU), is leading a movement through the South African Nursing Students Association (SANSA) to reshape the future of nursing education. With a commitment rooted in her family’s legacy of healthcare, Sekgobela brings resilience and a relentless drive to her roles as a National Committee Member and interim Chairperson of SANSA at SMU. Her leadership at this juncture in South Africa’s healthcare landscape highlights the calibre of SMU students and emphasises the university’s role in fostering meaningful student-led change.

Mahlatse Precious Sekgobela

“It’s been a tough road, but I find beauty in the journey,” Sekgobela remarks, reflecting on the pressures she’s faced. Growing up in rural Carlsruhe Jr, Limpopo, she learned the importance of community and hard work, values she carries into her advocacy for nursing students. Sekgobela’s leadership in SANSA is personal—driven by her vision of creating a unified voice for nursing students who face unique challenges, from mental health strains to gaps in practical training during clinical placements.

A central mission in her work with SANSA is addressing the imbalance in nursing education, where students often fill critical staff shortages rather than receive hands-on learning opportunities. “Students are treated as replacements, moving up levels without mastering the required skills,” she explains. “This puts us at a disadvantage in our profession. I hope SANSA will challenge these norms and ensure that every nursing student gets the training they deserve.”

Sekgobela and her team are tirelessly building SANSA’s presence across universities in South Africa to achieve this. “Our current focus is to establish branches at every university. Each campus faces its own set of challenges, and having a SANSA branch means we can address these specifically and work towards meaningful solutions,” she says. Her leadership within SANSA has already brought attention to issues affecting nursing students’ education, with plans to support mental health, improve clinical training, and foster a network for mutual support.

The journey hasn’t been easy, as she juggles her intense nursing studies with the demands of leading SANSA. “There’s no perfect balance,” she admits. “But as challenging as it gets, I’m driven by my belief in our mission to unite nursing students.” Her daily schedule often includes attending clinical shifts followed by SANSA meetings, a testament to her dedication and drive to uplift her peers.

Sekgobela’s path from her rural upbringing to her position at the forefront of student advocacy at SMU stands as a powerful example of the calibre and determination of SMU students. The skills she honed as a class representative and learning to lead peers from diverse backgrounds have been instrumental in her role within SANSA. “Leadership in nursing is about advocacy, teamwork, and professionalism,” she notes, adding that her vision is for nursing to become a profession where high standards, staff well-being, and patient care are deeply valued.

Looking forward, Sekgobela sees SANSA as a force for lasting change in nursing education that will support students from their academic years into their professional careers. “Once SANSA is fully established, we’ll have the power to push for policies that protect and uplift students across South Africa,” she asserts. “This is our moment to set a new standard for nursing in the country.”

With an unwavering dedication to her studies and advocacy, Sekgobela embodies the high calibre of SMU’s students, exemplifying how passion and purpose can lead to transformative change. Through her leadership, she hopes to inspire her peers to advocate for themselves, support each other, and ultimately elevate the profession they hold dear.