Fikile Dikolomela-Lengene is a highly qualified nurse clinician with a strong background in primary healthcare. She began her nursing career in 2005 at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, where she obtained a diploma in general, midwifery, community and psychiatric nursing. Her passion for nursing and commitment to delivering quality healthcare have driven her to pursue further education, including an advanced diploma in clinical nursing science in 2012 and a degree in nursing education and administration in 2015.
Dikolomela-Lengene's experience has not only honed her clinical skills but also deepened her understanding of the challenges faced by nurses and the impact of poor leadership and governance on their working conditions. As a community-embedded nurse, she has championed antiretroviral treatment management at healthcare facilities where she has worked, believing that successful health outcomes require active participation from residents. Her dedication to community-driven healthcare has led her to chair several health campaigns at the community level.
In recognition of her expertise and commitment to nursing liberation, Dikolomela-Lengene was appointed as a member of the South African ministerial task team on the review of the South African Nursing Strategy in 2017. Two years later, she served on the South African ministerial task team for the review of the Human Resources for Health Strategy. Her advocacy for nurses' rights has also led her to co-found the Young Nurses Indaba Trade Union in 2015, which aimed to unite, restore and empower nurses.
As a respected voice in the nursing community, Dikolomela-Lengene has represented South Africa at international conferences, including the LeadNurse Africa 2nd International Nursing and Midwifery Conference in Accra, Ghana, in 2019. Her contributions to the nursing field have also been recognized globally, with her involvement in Oxfam's 2020 report, The Right to Dignified Healthcare Work, Is a Right to Dignified Healthcare for All. The report highlighted the gross negligence linked to the undermining of gendered work.
Through her work, Dikolomela-Lengene has demonstrated a deep understanding of the interconnectedness of nurse well-being and healthcare outcomes. Her advocacy has focused on essential healthcare workers and the effect of poor leadership and governance on their working conditions, and how these contribute to poor health outcomes. By amplifying the voices of nurses and healthcare workers, she aims to bring about transformative change in the healthcare sector.
Dikolomela-Lengene's commitment to nurse liberation and healthcare transformation extends beyond her professional endeavors. As a nurse activist, she continues to push for policy changes and improved working conditions for nurses, recognizing that their well-being is inextricably linked to the quality of care they provide. Her dedication to this cause has made her a respected figure in the nursing community, both locally and internationally.
Today, Dikolomela-Lengene remains a driving force for change in the healthcare sector, inspiring a new generation of nurses and healthcare workers to prioritize their well-being and advocate for their rights. Her tireless efforts serve as a testament to the power of advocacy and the impact one person can have on the lives of others.
Key points
- Fikile Dikolomela-Lengene is a qualified nurse clinician and activist who has championed nurse liberation and healthcare transformation in South Africa and beyond.
- She has held various leadership positions, including co-founding the Young Nurses Indaba Trade Union and serving on ministerial task teams for healthcare strategy reviews.
- Dikolomela-Lengene's advocacy focuses on the well-being of nurses and healthcare workers, recognizing the link between their working conditions and healthcare outcomes.
