Cwenga Maliwa, a second-year Nursing student at the Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU), has been elected Secretary of the South African Nursing Students Association (SANSA). This leadership role underscores her dedication to nursing and her commitment to administrative excellence, signalling a new era of advocacy and reputation-building for the profession.

Cwenga Maliwa

Growing up in a family that valued education and independence, Maliwa’s journey is deeply rooted in a supportive environment and inspired by her grandmother’s strength. With a keen interest in healthcare sparked by medical dramas like Chicago Med and The Resident, Maliwa overcame academic hurdles with determination, retaking critical subjects to secure her spot in SMU’s esteemed nursing programme in 2023.

Her ascent into the SANSA leadership is more than a personal milestone; it is a testament to the quality of education and development opportunities offered at SMU. SMU’s commitment to fostering such trailblazers speaks volumes of its academic calibre, equipping students with both the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed to excel in their fields. Her rise also reflects SMU’s emphasis on producing healthcare professionals who are not only technically skilled but also prepared for leadership and advocacy roles.

As Secretary, Maliwa has set ambitious goals to elevate nursing’s standing, particularly among high school students and university peers. “As the newly elected Secretary of SANSA, I am committed to redefining the perception of nursing. My goal is to inspire high school students and university peers by showcasing our profession’s true importance and versatility. Nursing is not a backup plan; it is a calling and a vital career path that embodies resilience, compassion, and expertise,” she states.

Understanding that SMU’s Nursing Department is smaller than those at some other institutions, Maliwa aims to amplify her peers’ voices and ensure they receive adequate resources and representation. “I want to represent my fellow nursing colleagues and ensure that we are not overlooked,” she emphasised. Her advocacy extends to setting up benchmarking practices to help enhance SMU’s clinical training, further enhancing the university’s reputation as a leader in healthcare education.

Her efforts are bolstered by a keen eye for governance and accountability. As Secretary, she plans to immerse herself in the SANSA constitution, upholding its principles to ensure transparent decision-making. By actively engaging with experienced professionals from the Forum of University Nursing Departments in South Africa (FUNDISA), she will learn to balance diverse perspectives, strengthening her governance skills and reinforcing SMU’s emphasis on developing ethical, well-rounded healthcare leaders.

A pioneer in her approach to organisational management, Maliwa has already introduced streamlined protocols for document handling and communication, setting up a Microsoft Teams repository for national executive committee members. Her dedication to transparency is matched by her forward-thinking approach to technology and efficiency, creating an accountability model reflecting SMU’s innovative spirit.

One of her core strategies is fostering a national community of nursing students, with regular meetings among branch secretaries to ensure the fair representation of events across institutions. “Regular meetings with branch secretaries are essential for shaping a unified national calendar of events, fostering effective coordination and resource sharing across institutions. My strategy prioritises understanding each branch’s unique strengths and challenges, ensuring that every event is fairly represented and that we work together to amplify our collective impact,” she says.

Under her leadership, SANSA aims to nurture a generation of nursing students through five pillars: communication skills, community engagement, research and innovation, professional development, and emotional intelligence training. “As nursing students, our journey is about more than clinical skills; it is about growing as compassionate, innovative, and confident professionals,” she shares. “By focusing on communication and interaction, we build confidence that enhances patient care. Community engagement teaches us humility and service, while research empowers us to push boundaries and elevate nursing standards. Workshops on professional development will prepare us for life beyond university, and emotional intelligence training will uplift our morale and transform workplace culture. My goal is to shape well-rounded nurses who embody excellence and empathy.”

In Maliwa’s journey, SMU’s dedication to developing high-calibre professionals shines brightly. Her achievements and vision illustrate SMU’s role in producing leaders who will inspire future generations within the healthcare field and across South African society. Her election as SANSA Secretary is a powerful reminder that, at SMU, students are not just taught – they are empowered to make a lasting impact.