The Durban University of Technology’s (DUT) Executive Dean at the Faculty of Health Sciences, Professor Nokuthula Sibiya was crowned the 2019 KwaZulu-Natal Forum for Professional Nurse Leaders (FPNL) Award winner for her contributions in the field of nursing leadership, at the KwaZulu-Natal Legacy Quarterly Workshop, held on Friday, 11 October 2019.
Prof Sibiya is recognised for her active involvement in various professional activities and immense dedication to the nursing profession. Her involvement in national and international nursing education initiatives also takes a lead from her caring and intellectual disposition.
Prof Sibiya has not only mentored, developed and supervised many Masters and Doctoral students but she has also selflessly mentored and offered guidance to other supervisors whilst building her research capacity.
Speaking about her journey, she said 2019 was a rough year for her as she was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier in the year.
“It is unfortunate that this year I had to experience health issues but irrespective of that, I soldiered on and I conquered. Within the period of treatment, I was granted six months leave to focus on my health but I chose to come to work every day within that period and today I stand as a proud leader,” she said.
She further shared her appreciation in receiving the FPNL KZN Nurse Leader award, adding that when she had joined the forum in 2015, she wanted to shift the mentality of assuming that the forum is only for matrons and sell the idea that even people who are in academia are leaders at different levels.
“It is quite exciting knowing that your colleagues recognise the good work that you do for the organisation. I am actively involved in nursing education associations and organisations. As a person in academics, I don’t only focus on literature but I also engage in practical work such as community engagements and educational initiatives,” she said.
The Forum for Professional Nurse Leaders (FPNL) annually hosts the Nurse Leaders awards to recognise leaders who play a significant role in the development of future nurse leaders. Founded on 28 February 1996, FPNL was born from a need expressed by Nurse Managers for a forum that will take up and champion nurse leadership issues in the industry through an alliance between the public and private sectors, and aim of implementing solutions that will benefit nursing as well as promoting the delivery of world-class healthcare. It is also committed to sustained development of all South African nurses through leadership interventions that foster co-operation and empowerment across all sectors of the nursing profession.
She added that her continuous motivation is greatly driven by her passion in academia which enables her to implement solutions towards world-class healthcare through both literature and practice.
Furthermore, Prof Sibiya has been recognised in many different platforms for her immense contributions. In 2017 she received the Nursing Education Excellence Award for Leadership in Nursing Education, for successfully implementing an undergraduate nursing programme. In that same year, she was recognised as one of the Top Supervisors in the Faculty of Health Sciences. In 2018 she was crowned the 2018 Distinguished Woman Scientist followed by a number of research awards at DUT.
Nomfundo Ngcobo
