By Emily Setona
HARRISMITH — In a region where access to quality healthcare can determine a community’s wellbeing, Busamed Harrismith Private Hospital has emerged as a crucial lifeline.
To understand the vision shaping the facility’s expanding footprint, The Guard spoke to Hospital Manager Constance ‘Connie’ Majeke — a leader who believes that true care must reach far beyond hospital walls.
Majeke, who is both passionate and deeply rooted in the community she serves, says compassion remains the foundation of healthcare. “Healthcare must always be about people. From the moment a patient leaves home until they recover, every interaction should be filled with dignity, compassion and heart,” she said.
Taking healthcare to the people
Majeke explained that the hospital works closely with General Practitioners across QwaQwa, Harrismith, Ficksburg, Vrede, Bergville and surrounding areas, while offering shuttle services to improve access for patients. Busamed’s consultation rooms in Setsing, Phuthaditjhaba, provide specialist services, X-rays and Lancet Laboratory access — easing travel burdens for rural families.
A strategic visibility campaign launched in late 2023 has already begun shifting public perceptions. “We worked hard to make our presence known and trusted,” Majeke said. Online searches for Busamed have since risen, signalling growing confidence in the facility.
Leadership capacity was further strengthened in September 2025 with the appointment of Dr. Mosoeu Mongangane as Business Development Manager, and Pearl van der Merwe to lead Courtesy and Marketing. “Our team is committed to excellence and deeper community engagement,” she said.
A hospital that shows up everywhere
The hospital’s outreach footprint is wide. Teams conduct health screenings for truck drivers along the N3, farmers in remote communities, teachers, churches, corporates and government departments. Busamed also partners with public facilities — including Elizabeth Ross, Manapo and Thebe District hospitals — to improve referral pathways and overall access to care.
Majeke recalled the Busamed Group’s N3 Arrive Alive activation at Bergview: “We stationed a helicopter, offered medical screenings and hosted a community braai. The spirit of connection was powerful.”
Honouring the elderly
Support for senior citizens is central to Busamed’s outreach. “We owe our elderly patients comfort and dignity, upholding our philosophy that we are here to empower you and our community to lead healthier and more fulfilling lives,” Majeke said. Wellness check-ups, soothing massages and CPR training for caregivers at Eliza Ellida Tehuis Retirement Village have become ongoing commitments.
Investing in the future
Education forms a core pillar of Busamed’s community philosophy. The hospital has replenished school first aid kits and placed health signage at key community points. It sponsored a computer room for learners with disabilities at Harrismith High School and assisted in constructing the pavilion at Harrismith Primary School — now prominently visible from the N3.
Majeke and her team continue to lead career guidance sessions, motivational talks and clean-up campaigns. Basic health essentials were donated to learners to promote well-being. “We want young people to know their lives matter and their dreams are valid,” she said.
A broader circle of care
Through partnerships with Ncala Housekeeping Services and Ugebhezi Security, the hospital has donated blankets, groceries and school shoes to families in Intabazwe and surrounding communities. Sanitary pads were distributed through NGO collaborations, and even animal shelters received support — underscoring the team’s belief in compassion for all living beings.
Respect for culture and identity
Ensuring representation and inclusivity is non-negotiable, Majeke said. Engagements with the Muslim community led to the introduction of prayer mats and halaal meals. Busamed also strengthened ties with farmers by participating in agricultural shows and industry events.
Through its partnership with the Harrismith Improvement Team (HIT), the hospital has contributed to local upliftment projects — from tree trimming and pothole repairs to clearing storm drains. “We cannot operate in a community without helping to improve it,” she stressed.
Care that feels like family
Inside the hospital, staff aim to bring humanity to clinical spaces. Birthdays are celebrated for inpatients; newborn photoshoots capture joyful first moments. Valentine’s Day and Women’s Day programmes add warmth to the wards, including a mental health session during which Majeke addressed women on emotional well-being.
One of her proudest initiatives remains the Mandela Month Universal Care Programme. “Free surgical interventions embody the spirit of Madiba,” she said. This year alone, seven patients who could not afford specialised procedures received life-changing operations.
Majeke summed up the hospital’s mission simply: “Every initiative — from screenings to school sponsorships — reflects our commitment to care with heart.”
