Koketso Maraba
In a room filled with sirens of strength and voices of resilience, Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, stood shoulder to shoulder with women who not only respond to emergencies but redefine leadership.
The 4th Annual Women in Emergency, Disaster Management, and Fire Services Leadership Conference, held on Friday, 08 August 2025, was more than just a gathering – it was a celebration of courage and a call to action. Hosted during Women’s Month under the theme “Empowering Women Leaders for a Resilient Tomorrow,” the event delivered on every word.
MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko emphasised that women in emergency services are not merely supporting the system, they are rebuilding it. “You carry families, you carry communities, you carry the nation through your acts of bravery,” she said.
She spotlighted leaders in Gauteng Emergency Medical Services (EMS) such as Annikie Lelaka, who rose from volunteer paramedic to District Manager in Tshwane, and Busi Nkabinde, whose work in emergency care continues to inspire. These stories of trailblazers, once rare, are now becoming the norm.
“We must collectively stand up – as government, as society, and as women – to say, ‘No more.’ No more attacks on those who risk their lives to save others. No more silence when our emergency teams are under threat. Protecting our responders is not just a duty; it is a moral imperative. Because when we protect them, we protect the future of our communities,” added the MEC.
Lebogang Mosotho, Disaster Management Officer in Community Services, echoed the importance of inclusive leadership. “Our voices, insights, and leadership are essential in shaping a more resilient and inclusive approach to disaster management. When women lead in emergency response, communities are stronger, and the world is safer.”
Sanky Mahlangu, Head of Safety at TRIM, reflected on a recent emergency simulation that showcased meaningful collaboration. She noted that members of the Department of Health EMS were not just present, they actively led the exercise, contributing resources, energy, and a spirit of unity.
“Disasters do not discriminate, and what truly matters is that all emergency services are trained to respond as a unified force,” Mahlangu said.
The conference pulsed with a sense of shared purpose. It served as a powerful reminder that leadership is not about rank, but about impact. And that resilience is not just about lifting equipment, it’s about lifting each other.
