As the Association of Professional Artisans of South Africa (APASA), we are deeply disturbed by the devastating reports emerging from Northdale Hospital in Pietermaritzburg.
The complete collapse of essential services — no electricity for days, decomposing bodies in the mortuary, and staff forced to cook on open fires — represents not only a humanitarian crisis but a tragic failure of leadership and infrastructure maintenance.
This situation is not just about a hospital without power; it is about the dignity of the living and the dead. It is about restoring the humanity of healthcare environments and protecting both patients and staff from further trauma.
APASA cannot stand by. We are taking action.
We are immediately launching the “Restore Dignity Campaign”, mobilizing our members and partners to:
Donate or sponsor industrial generators, rechargeable lighting, and essential supplies,
Deploy qualified artisan volunteers (electricians, refrigeration specialists, and technicians) to assist in stabilizing technical systems,
Engage authorities to propose sustainable, artisan-driven solutions for hospital maintenance.
We call on the public, businesses, and the government to join us in this urgent effort.
Let us unite to bring light, power, and dignity back to Northdale Hospital — and ensure this never happens again.
Issued by:
Nhlanhla Aubrey Magwaza
President: Association of Professional Artisans of South Africa (APASA)
[079 538 1844 | info@apasa-npc.org.za | www.apasa-npc.org.za