By Tlalane Dlamini
The University of Eswatini (UNESWA) Faculty of Health Sciences celebrated a significant milestone for the country’s healthcare and economy during the recent Oath-Taking Ceremony for its newly qualified Bachelor of Nursing Science graduates. Held on Friday, November 7, 2025, the event was more than a formal recognition of professional qualification; it was a rallying call for nurses to become vital contributors to national transformation and economic progress.
Under the theme, “Our Nurses, Our Future: Caring for Nurses Strengthens Economies,” the ceremony highlighted the expanding roles of nurses beyond clinical settings.
The keynote address was given by Sboniso Madlopha, an alumnus of the University of Eswatini (UNESWA) and Vice President of Junior Achievement Africa, who stressed that modern nursing is no longer limited to patient care within hospital walls; instead, it is a strategic force capable of driving innovation, entrepreneurship, and societal growth.
During the ceremony, Dean Dr. Mduduzi Shongwe expressed great pride in the first-year students as they took their professional oath. He emphasized that by upholding core principles such as empathy, compassion, and integrity, these future nurses are uniquely prepared to tackle societal challenges.
Highlighting the relevance of the theme, Dean Shongwe noted that the profession plays a crucial role in addressing unemployment issues today. He encouraged the graduates to pursue personal and professional growth while being mindful of the broader impact their work can have on national development. “Nurses are not only caregivers—they are catalysts for social and economic transformation,” he stated.
The ceremony positioned the new nurses as more than healthcare practitioners; they are called to see themselves as leaders, innovators, and architects of change.
“The world needs nurses who can think critically, solve complex problems, and turn their clinical skills into economic opportunities,” Madlopha emphasized.
By harnessing their knowledge and skills, nurses are in a unique position to contribute across various sectors, including corporate leadership, policymaking, digital innovation, and entrepreneurship.
The keynote urged graduates to reimagine their professional identity: not just as caregivers but as strategists who can influence decision-making in boardrooms, parliaments, technology sectors, and beyond.
Madlopha introduced the idea of “nurse innovators,” professionals who can create new healthcare delivery models, develop digital tools for better patient outcomes, and build ethical businesses that balance profit with social impact.
According to Madlopha, when nurses innovate and lead, their influence goes beyond healthcare; they create jobs, stimulate industries, and support national economic growth.
A New Economic Vision Based on Nursing Principles
Central to the speech was the idea that nursing principles, beneficence (doing good) and non-maleficence (avoiding harm), serve as a strong foundation for ethical and sustainable leadership. “The moral compass embedded in the nursing profession equips graduates to lead with integrity and compassion,” Madlopha pointed out.
Graduates were encouraged to apply these principles to entrepreneurship and innovation. A nurse starting a business will naturally prioritize ethical practices and social responsibility, ensuring ventures uplift communities rather than harm them. Similarly, a nurse using technology to develop healthcare solutions would focus on improving access and outcomes over simply making a profit.
This philosophy supports a broader vision where the nursing profession acts as a catalyst for systemic change—improving healthcare efficiency and strengthening economic resilience. “When nurses lead, economies grow. When nurses innovate, industries evolve,” Madlopha declared, highlighting nursing’s dual role as a human-centered vocation and an economic driver.
Bachelor of Nursing Science 2024/2025 Graduates
1. Dlamini Nontobeko
2. Dlamini Philile T.
3. Dlamini Sambulo S.
4. Dlamini Takhona T.
5. Dlamini Yolanda G.
6. Hlushwayo Mlandvo C.
7. Khopho Nsizoe N.
8. Khumalo Sibongumenzi
9. Khumalo Velenkosini
10. Kunene Philisiwe N.
11. Langa Nonduduzo
13. Mabila Londiwe P.
14. Maseko Sizolwethu
15. Maseko Smilo S.
16. Masuku Mlandzi S.
17. Maziya Zuyandeza V.
18. Mhlanga Thembekile Z.
19. Muyaya Jane M.
20. Ndwandwe Owenkosi E.
21. Ngwenya Thandeka S.
22. Shiba Siwakhile
23. Shongwe Alakhe B.
24. Shongwe Bongiwe
25. Simelane Mayenziwe S.
26. Simelane Notsikelelo N.
27. Tfwala Balele T.
28. Vilakati Sandzisile N.
These graduates represent the next generation of healthcare professionals expected not only to provide excellent patient care but also to drive innovation, economic growth, and social impact across Eswatini.