Fikile Dikolomela-Lengene, a devoted Primary Healthcare Nurse at Stretford CHC in the Johannesburg Health District, has been nominated for the African Health Excellence Awards in the healthcare category.
Her unwavering dedication to ensuring the Orange Farm community receives accessible healthcare has earned her this well-deserved recognition.
Hailing from Ennerdale, Ext 13, Dikolomela-Lengene’s journey began at Lenz Public School. After completing high school, she pursued nursing at Chris Hani Baragwanath Nursing College. She completed her practical training at Lenasia South Clinic in 2005. In 2017, she was assigned to Stretford Clinic.
A mother of two teenagers and a wife, she believes that nursing is her true calling. “If I were to choose a career again, I would choose nursing,” she shared.
Despite the challenges within the healthcare sector, Dikolomela-Lengene remains committed to bringing about positive change. This commitment has driven her to continuously further her studies, earning qualifications such as a Diploma in General, Midwifery, Community and Psychiatric Nursing, as well as a Diploma in Clinical Nursing Science.
In 2021, she was selected for the Apolitical Academy Public Service Leadership programme, becoming a FuturElect Alumni under Public Service. After participating in the Mandela Washington Leadership programme in 2022 and studying public management at Howard University in Washington, DC, she returned to South Africa and founded the Fikile Dikolomela-Lengene Foundation, which focuses on strengthening community-led nursing.
Dikolomela-Lengene is passionate about changing the negative perceptions surrounding the nursing profession by advocating for both patients and nurses. Her goal is to ensure better access to healthcare for residents and improved working conditions for nurses.
She expressed her gratitude to Orange Farm News: “I’m honoured to be nominated; it shows that my work is seen and appreciated. I encourage young people to consider nursing as a career; there’s a need for new blood. This field is attached to negativity, and we need to find out where we are going wrong and change that. It’s important that we get it right from college.”
Sister Fikile Dikolomela-Lengene is not only a beacon of hope for the Orange Farm community but also an inspiring example of resilience and commitment in the healthcare profession. Her relentless pursuit of excellence and her passion for making a difference have touched countless lives, demonstrating that true leadership lies in service. Her work extends beyond the clinic, as she actively contributes to shaping the future of nursing through mentorship and her foundation. Dikolomela-Lengene’s nomination for the Unsung Heroes Award is a testament to her remarkable impact and dedication to the well-being of her community.
The African Health Excellence Awards is an annual event that recognises and celebrates excellence in the African healthcare sector. It aims to highlight the outstanding achievements and contributions of individuals, organisations, and initiatives that have made a significant impact on healthcare in Africa.
The awards ceremony will take place on 30 November in Sandton, and Orange Farm News wishes Sister Fikile Dikolomela-Lengene the very best.
