In Our Own Words

'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.' Our nurses have witnessed the pandemic first hand, compassionately caring for patients amid war-like circumstances. The havoc caused by the pandemic highlighted existing fault lines in the South African health 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. 'A powerful and moving account from the coalface of the Covid-19 response - this is a must read!' - Salim Abdool Karim

HESTER KLOPPER is the Deputy Vice-chancellor: Strategy & Internationalisation at Stellenbosch University and a professor in the global-health department.