In Our Own Words: Nurses on the Front Line by Siedine Coetzee, Hester Klopper and Jonathan Jansen is out now from Jonathan Ball Publishers.

‘These beautifully told stories of saving lives, facing death and fear – and of stubborn hope – are a reminder of the value of nursing to society.’ – Thuli Madonsela

‘A powerful and moving account from the coalface of the Covid-19 response – this is a must read.’ – Salim Abdool Karim

Our nurses have witnessed the pandemic first hand, compassionately caring for patients amid war-like circumstances.

‘I proudly wear my badge as a Covid-19 front-line hero. I believe I was meant to be where I am during these trying times.’

The havoc caused by the pandemic highlighted existing fault lines in the South African healthcare system, and nurses faced shortages of staff and vital life-saving equipment. Colleagues tested positive and died. Visitors were not allowed, so nurses had to be intermediaries between patients and desperate family trying to glean information on the phone. Despite these pressures, they remained at the forefront of the fight against the deadly virus.

This book brings together deeply personal stories of caring for patients in wards and ICU, of feeling overwhelmed, and experiencing the fear of getting infected and passing Covid on to their families. There are also moving tales of personal growth and finding renewed purpose. In Our Own Words shows the extreme resilience of nurses – even in the face of adversity. And that at the core of a ‘true’ nurse remains the commitment to the patient.

About the authors

Siedine Coetzee is the Albertina Sisulu Research Chair in Nursing Science at the North-West University. Her research focus is on nurse outcomes, specifically recruitment and retention.

Hester Klopper is the Deputy Vice-chancellor: Strategy, Global and Corporate Affairs at Stellenbosch University and a professor in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.

Jonathan Jansen is a bestselling author, columnist and is the Distinguished Professor of Education at Stellenbosch University and President of the Academy of Science of South Africa.

Categories Non-fiction South Africa

Tags Hester Klopper In Our Own Words Jonathan Ball Publishers Jonathan Jansen New books New releases Siedine Coetzee