Joyful Nurse Dances at George Mukhari Hospital Amid Efforts to Manage Immigration
- A TikTok video showing a South African public hospital nurse joyfully dancing and praying went viral
- This celebration comes amidst SA’s ongoing debate regarding free access to public healthcare for undocumented foreign nationals
- The nurse's visible relief highlighted the issue of overstretched public hospitals and the impact of stricter patient access policies
- Briefly News spoke to Ntombi Qwabe, a qualified nurse, who offered insight into how medical professionals cope with the emotional toll of working on the frontlines
South Africans have been captivated by a viral video of a joyful nurse dancing at George Mukhari Hospital, interpreting her happiness as a sign of eased pressure on the public healthcare system following new policies on undocumented foreign nationals.
Source: Getty Images
A TikTok video shared by user @thithilish has gone viral, showing a South African nurse at George Mukhari Hospital spontaneously praising, worshipping, and dancing. The video captured the joyful healthcare worker giving thanks through prayer, worshipping and dancing as patients recorded the heartwarming moment.
The nurse’s energy and gratitude captured the attention of Mzansi citizens, with many interpreting her happiness as a reflection of eased pressure in the public hospital system. The video comes amid ongoing public conversations about South Africa’s strained public healthcare sector, particularly around the issue of undocumented foreign nationals accessing public services.
SA Public Hospitals tighten access for undocumented patients
Over the past few years, the South African Department of Health has faced mounting pressure due to overburdened hospitals, limited resources, and increasing patient loads. A significant point of contention has been the treatment of undocumented immigrants, many of whom rely on public healthcare facilities.
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Recently, some public hospitals have begun implementing stricter policies, denying free access to undocumented patients who fail to provide valid documentation, reserving these services for South Africans only. While this move has sparked debate about human rights and access to healthcare, many frontline workers, especially in high-traffic hospitals like George Mukhari, have reported feeling some relief.
The dancing nurse, as many in the comment section suggested, was likely celebrating the reduced pressure in her department. While the exclusion of undocumented immigrants remains a contentious topic, the visible joy of one nurse has humanised the realities behind these policy shifts.
Nurse Qwabe emphasised that moments of lightness, such as dancing, are more than just joyful distractions, but are crucial tools for resilience, connection, and maintaining the spirit of care. On how nurses cope with stress during challenging shifts, she said:
“We often rely on a combination of personal resilience, peer support, and structured coping strategies to manage stress during challenging shifts. Techniques such as short breaks, deep breathing, debriefing with colleagues, and prioritising patient care tasks help us maintain focus. Others also benefit from post-shift reflection, counselling services when needed, and fostering strong team collaboration to reduce emotional isolation and burnout.”
On how small moments like dancing or singing can uplift staff and patients:
“Small personal moments like dancing, singing, or praying serve as powerful, restorative moments that uplift both us and our patients. These acts not only help us momentarily recharge but also foster human connection, comfort, and joy within clinical settings. When done respectfully and appropriately, such moments enhance the therapeutic environment, reduce emotional fatigue, and strengthen the nurse-patient bond.”
On why these moments of joy matter, especially in public healthcare:
“While the public generally respects the dedication of nurses, the depth of the emotional toll nurses carry is often underappreciated. Moments of positivity, laughter, compassion, or shared joy with patients are essential not just for coping but for preserving empathy and humanity in care. These moments can help bridge the understanding gap by showing that behind every uniform is a person committed to healing, often at a great emotional cost.”
Source: TikTok
Mzansi reacted to the video
Tema said:
"Yoh! The government owes nurses a huge apology."
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lindia
"I usually sing Lion of Judah out loud. I love that song; it carried me through COVID."
Mandene Zana said:
"Pragtig, Nurse Vee. ❤️🙏"
Elkur Dennis said:
"We need more nurses like you. God bless you. ❤️❤️"
Zekhethelo said:
"That’s my homegirl! 👌 She's restoring hope."
Pondy Vuli said:
"We need people like her, those who bring patients before the Father. Amen, dearest sister. 👌"
User9199855113634 said:
"She can now sing for South Africans. 🥰"
Beauty Hlengiwe Mtetwa said:
"Sanibonani, please help me, how much does it cost to extract a tooth? I'm in so much pain."
Maybileen said:
"What a beautiful sight straight from the hospital. God is everywhere. 🙌🫶🙏✅"
Edna Pienaar said:
"If only everyone could be like this."
Check out the TikTok video below
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- Dr Aaron Motsoaledi revealed that the Department of Health spent over R1.1 million on medico-legal claims in 2024.
- Deputy Health Minister Joe Phaahla admitted that the health system was at breaking point in Gauteng.
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Source: Briefly News
