The Free State leg of the 2026 initiative was officially launched at the UFS on 1 July, bringing together representatives from the University, the Free State Department of Health, ASH, CMR Surgical, and Marcus Medical. Held in honour of former President Nelson Mandela, the initiative seeks to provide life-changing surgical care to patients who have been waiting for elective procedures while strengthening collaboration between the public and private healthcare sectors. This will also expose postgraduate students in the Faculty of Health Sciences to training in these procedures and the post-operative care of these patients.
Synergising efforts
This year’s campaign is centred on the theme,
Are you, or do you know anybody who is on a surgical waiting list? According to
Dr Viola Morolo, Founder and Director of African Synergy Health, the theme is intended to highlight that surgical backlogs affect everyone and as a result, everyone should be part of the solution.
“ASH’s role is to bring stakeholders together, with the aim of synergising our efforts. There are a lot of efforts that have been done, synergising is going to be the key to everything,” says Dr Morolo. “When effort is synergised,” she continues, “it means our contribution together is greater than the sum of our individual contribution – meaning, we can achieve a lot more if we work together.”
Since launching the surgical marathon initiative in 2023, ASH has facilitated 349 elective surgical procedures over just 27 operating days – an average of 13 surgeries a day. Dr Morolo believes this demonstrates that eliminating surgical waiting lists is an achievable goal through collaboration and innovation.
“This year we are working across six provinces and aim to perform surgery on 200 patients during Mandela Month. These are not simply numbers; they are real people whose lives, families and futures are being changed. A healthier population ultimately contributes to a stronger economy and healthier communities.”
A vision has become a movement
Delivering the keynote address,
Dr Relebohile Ncha, Chief Director: Hospitals at the National Department of Health, reflected on Nelson Mandela’s words that “A winner is a dreamer who never gives up,” describing ASH as an initiative that has transformed a bold vision into meaningful action.
“What began as a vision has become a movement. Over the past three years, ASH has demonstrated that when a clear vision is supported by committed partnerships, extraordinary outcomes become possible,” says Dr Ncha.
She notes that in 2025 alone, more than 100 doctors, including 50 specialist surgeons, together with nurses, medical students and nursing students, volunteered their expertise during the surgical marathons.
“Behind every statistic is a patient who received care, a family restored to hope and a life transformed.”
Dr Ncha encourages provincial departments of health to embrace the partnership beyond Mandela Month and incorporate it into broader healthcare strategies. She highlighted the three pillars that underpin ASH’s work: service delivery through surgical marathons, Afrocentric research to strengthen evidence-based healthcare, and continuous professional development that supports training, mentorship and skills development for healthcare professionals.
“By exposing the next generation to service, collaboration and leadership in action, we are investing in a stronger and more compassionate healthcare system for the future,” she says.
Partnership is important for lives
Speaking at the event,
Ernest Mohlahlo, HOD of the Free State Department of Health, describes collaboration as essential to improving healthcare delivery in the province. He says reducing surgical backlogs remains a priority, but equally important is addressing the underlying causes of the waiting lists. This includes investing in theatre infrastructure, commissioning operating theatres currently standing idle due to equipment shortages, recruiting theatre nurses, midwives and specialist healthcare professionals, and improving the retention of specialists trained within the province.
“We welcome this partnership because we recognise that we cannot address these challenges alone. This partnership is important for the lives of our people in the Free State,” Mohlahlo says.
Dr Leony Fourie, Academic Head of the UFS
Department of Surgery, thanked the partners for this initiative, saying as surgeons, nurses and other stakeholders involved, they are glad to be part of an event honouring Madiba’s enduring legacy.
“This effort of reducing backlogs and restoring the health and dignity of our patients, is met with immense gratitude because we often have to tell patients – your surgery won’t be today.”
According to Dr Fourie, robotic surgery forms a big part of the surgical procedures during this surgical marathon – combining state-of-the-art technology and innovation with public service. “We are planning several different procedures across different surgical disciplines including Colorectal, Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary and Urology. We will provide surgeries to people with different types of pathologies, malignant diseases, and also complex benign diseases.”
Marceleen Cilliers, Managing Director of Marcus Medical, says it is an absolute privilege to be part of this prestige event, thanking all the clinicians, surgeons, theatre nurses, and everyone in the background working to make this event a success.