SA’s Cancer Story | The many long journeys to get cancer treatment far from home

By Biénne Huisman, October 21, 2026

Posted in: Eastern Cape, Free State, Healthcare system, Latest, NCDs, Provinces, Spotlight

The road to cancer treatment in South Africa often involves many encounters with healthcare workers and long journeys far from home. From pink iPhone covers to pink embroidery yarn, and cornstarch, Biénne Huisman hears the stories of people from vast corners of inland South Africa, and beyond, who travelled to Bloemfontein for specialist medical attention to treat their cancer. This is part 4 of Daily Maverick and Spotlight’s special series on cancer in South Africa.

SA’s Cancer Story | The many long journeys to get cancer treatment far from home

How Philani’s amazing ‘mentor mothers’ are bringing hope to struggling moms and children

By Sue Segar, October 20, 2025

Posted in: Eastern Cape, Healthcare system, Latest, Provinces, Spotlight, Western Cape

Mothers and babies in South Africa can easily fall through the cracks and end up going hungry and not getting the healthcare they need. Sue Segar spent time with an innovative project that is helping thousands such women and kids in parts of the Western Cape and Eastern Cape. Their model has been adopted by organisations in several other countries.

How Philani’s amazing ‘mentor mothers’ are bringing hope to struggling moms and children

Nelson Mandela Bay clinics under siege as crime threatens healthcare

By Luvuyo Mehlwana, October 9, 2024

Posted in: Eastern Cape, Healthcare system, Latest, Provinces, Spotlight

A series of robberies at healthcare facilities in the Eastern Cape has disrupted services, with patients sometimes left waiting outside while clinics limit the number of people allowed in. This follows the provincial health department spending over R700 million on security contracts in the past financial year, reports Luvuyo Mehlwana.

Nelson Mandela Bay clinics under siege as crime threatens healthcare

Walking with “nomakhayas”: How the Bulungula Incubator is creating change in Wild Coast communities

By Sue Segar, July 18, 2024

Posted in: Eastern Cape, Healthcare system, Latest, Provinces, Spotlight

An innovative health programme is thriving and making a difference in the lives of people in a rural Eastern Cape community. Sue Segar spent time with the project, walking with “nomakhayas” from house-to-house and taking a ferry trip across the Xhora river.

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Walking with “nomakhayas”: How the Bulungula Incubator is creating change in Wild Coast communities

How ‘NHI on wheels’ is bringing life-changing healthcare to young people in rural Eastern Cape

By Sue Segar, July 11, 2024

Posted in: Eastern Cape, Healthcare system, Latest, NHI, Provinces, Spotlight

The Keready project uses mobile clinics to take healthcare services to rural areas. Sue Segar spent time with the project as they took eye, dental, and other healthcare services to communities in the Eastern Cape.

How ‘NHI on wheels’ is bringing life-changing healthcare to young people in rural Eastern Cape

Of South Africa’s nine health MECs, five are new

By Elri Voigt, July 4, 2024

Posted in: #Vote4Health, Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, Healthcare system, KwaZulu-Natal, Latest, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West, Northern Cape, Provinces, Spotlight, Western Cape

Following South Africa’s 2024 national and provincial elections, the decisions about the top health jobs in the country’s nine provinces have now all been made. Elri Voigt rounds up the appointments.

Of South Africa’s nine health MECs, five are new

Eastern Cape’s new health MEC Ntandokazi Capa promises improvement, but critics are doubtful

By Luvuyo Mehlwana, June 25, 2024

Posted in: #Vote4Health, Eastern Cape, Healthcare system, Latest, Provinces, Spotlight

Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane has appointed Ntandokazi Capa as the province’s new MEC for Health. Luvuyo Mehlwana asked Capa about her vision for healthcare in the province and rounds up some early responses to her appointment from healthcare unions and political parties.

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Eastern Cape’s new health MEC Ntandokazi Capa promises improvement, but critics are doubtful

More uproar at Zithulele Hospital as senior doctor is moved

By Sue Segar, June 5, 2024

Posted in: Eastern Cape, Healthcare system, Latest, Provinces, Spotlight

A senior doctor who worked at Zithulele Hospital in the Eastern Cape for close to a decade has been instructed to report to the Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital in Mthatha. Some Zithulele hospital staff and community members last week protested the move. Sue Segar reports.

More uproar at Zithulele Hospital as senior doctor is moved

What parties are putting on the table for healthcare in the Eastern Cape

By Luvuyo Mehlwana, May 22, 2024

Posted in: #Vote4Health, Eastern Cape, Healthcare system, Latest, Provinces, Special Investigations, Spotlight

Spotlight reached out to different political parties in the Eastern Cape to get their perspectives on how they plan to jack up healthcare in a province where thousands of people still have difficulty accessing healthcare. Only three parties responded. We zoom in on their views on crippled emergency medical services and ballooning medico-legal claims.

What parties are putting on the table for healthcare in the Eastern Cape

From rural doctor to MP? “I hope to continue to serve”, says Dr Karl le Roux

By Sue Segar, May 9, 2024

Posted in: #Vote4Health, Eastern Cape, Healthcare system, Latest, Spotlight

Dr Karl le Roux, former chair of the Rural Doctors’ Association of South Africa, says the time has come for him to take his knowledge and experience to the national political arena. He is now hoping for a seat in parliament on the DA’s ticket. Sue Segar caught up with him.

From rural doctor to MP? “I hope to continue to serve”, says Dr Karl le Roux

Bulela Vava | New lab a leap forward for oral health in the Eastern Cape

By Bulela Vava, April 30, 2024

Posted in: Eastern Cape, Healthcare system, Latest, Opinions, Perspectives

A new lab promises to improve access to dental prostheses in the Eastern Cape, restoring thousands of smiles in the process. Dr Bulela Vava of the Public Oral Health Forum welcomes the development and argues that oral health should not be a privilege of the few.

Tags: Bulela Vava Eastern Cape oral health

Bulela Vava | New lab a leap forward for oral health in the Eastern Cape

Health services in the Eastern Cape: What changed since the last elections?

By Luvuyo Mehlwana, April 9, 2024

Posted in: #Vote4Health, Eastern Cape, Healthcare system, Latest, Spotlight

Luvuyo Mehlwana looks back at the performance of public healthcare services in the Eastern Cape over the last five years – a term characterised by leadership instability, infrastructure problems, financial short-falls, and of course the COVID-19 pandemic.