​For 47 years, Dianne Lekgetho has walked the corridors of Kalafong Provincial Tertiary Hospital not just as a nurse, but as a mentor, educator and a pillar of strength to those who needed it. 
From her early days as a top-performing student in General Nursing Science and Art in 1984 to her current role as an Assistant Manager in Nursing, she has consistently led with diligence and passion. 
On the brink of retirement, Lekgetho has been honoured for not only being a remarkable nurse but a woman whose legacy of care, leadership and excellence has left an indelible mark on Kalafong and the nursing profession at large.
Her expertise are vast and range from TB management and HIV/AIDS Wellness programmes to Infection Control, and the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI). In 2006 she was nominated for an Excellence award by the then CEO when she was an IPC coordinator. That was testament to the recognition of her invaluable contribution to the hospital. 
Lekgetho stands out most in not just the knowledge she carries, but the spirit in which she shares it. Her commitment to training, mentoring, coaching and uplifting others has equipped generations of healthcare workers with tools to serve and lead after 47 years in being the true backbone of our healthcare system. 
MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu NkomoRalehoko honoured Lekgetho during the International Nurses Day celebrations at Kalafong on Thursday, 22 May 2025 for her unwavering commitment to guiding and educating patients and their families about health conditions, treatment options, and self-care which is profoundly impactful. 
"Thank you for your solid commitment, your compassion and your courage. Nursing is not just a job. It is a calling. It is a lifetime of service marked by sacrifice, empathy, and discipline. The truth is that despite the nursing profession being under strain many of you continue to do the incredible work of looking after the weak and vulnerable.
"We sincerely appreciate and celebrate your efforts every single day. We are dedicated to ensuring your safety and well-being, as you deserve our utmost support in creating a healthy workforce," said the MEC to Lekgetho as well as other nurses honoured on the day.  
The Acting CEO of the hospital, Dr Olebogeng Modise described the Florence Nightingales of our times as a counsellor to the weary, a teacher to the curious and a beacon of hope to patients and staff alike.
"Whether it was guiding new nurses through emotionally taxing experiences or participating in committees on Quality Assurance, Patient safety incidents and many others, she always did so with poise and an open heart," said Modise. 
Unfortunately like many other veteran nurses who have carried the health system, Lekgetho will be retiring in August this year. It was a sombre and emotional moment for the hospital as it is going to be hard to say goodbye to this stalwart who served with dedication and passion for close to five (5) decades. 
Lekgetho who was born and bred in Atteridgeville joined the nursing profession when it was only an esteemed profession available for black people. "
"My exposure to Kalafong Provincial Tertiary Hospital happened when I paid a visit to my uncle when I was still in my teens. It was during this visit that my eyes were opened to a professional establishment outside of my schooling environment.
"Needless to say, I was awestruck by the patient care that I witnessed and how the nurses carried themselves. This, somehow, resonated with what I thought my character was. I think it was at this time that I quietly decided I would pursue nursing as a profession. And one thing led to another, and before I knew it, I was training as a nurse," said Lekgetho.