​Koketso Maraba
 
As part of Women's Month, the Gauteng Department of Health is uplifting and empowering young women through practical initiatives that change lives. 
On Friday, 22 August 2025, MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, visited Devland in Johannesburg to show her support for the First Responder Training Programme, which is helping to build safer communities.
A total of 193 young women were trained through the programme, gaining essential skills to respond to emergencies, save lives, and support their communities when it matters most.
The training, offered by Lebone College of Emergency Care, equips participants with critical life-saving skills. These include performing CPR, assisting individuals during seizures, treating burns, sprains, and strains, helping fall victims, and managing stab or gunshot wounds. The course prepares them to act quickly and responsibly during medical emergencies, often before professional help arrives.
The programme also builds confidence, leadership, and a sense of responsibility. The young women learned how to stay calm under pressure, make quick decisions, and care for others with compassion and skill.
To celebrate their achievement, MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko handed over certificates to the graduates, recognising their hard work and marking the beginning of their journey as community lifesavers.
MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko their dedication and highlighted the impact of empowering women. She said, "When women are trained to lead and respond, they help build resilient families and neighbourhoods. This programme is about more than first aid; it is about giving young women the power to protect, lead, and inspire."
"I learned how to attend to a sick person at home and how to respond to someone who has been burned. The training was very insightful, and now I know what to do during an emergency while waiting for an ambulance to arrive. I will carry this knowledge with me to assist other people at home," shared Nontshindiso Ngcongo.
Thembi Khosa also expressed her appreciation for the opportunity. She said, "It was very helpful because we learned how to do CPR. What I had the opportunity to learn has opened my eyes to new opportunities, and this looks like a course I am interested in enrolling in."
By supporting initiatives such as this one, the Gauteng Department of Health is making Women's Month meaningful, impactful, and focused on action. Training 193 young women in Devland is an investment in a safer, stronger, and more empowered future, where women lead with skill and confidence.