Join the ‘Night Run to Honour Nurses’ on May 3rd and Support South Africa’s Healthcare Heroes

The Exceptional Nurse Campaign is calling on all Capetonians to lace up their running shoes for the annual ‘Night Run to Honour Nurses’ on Saturday, May 3, 2025. This 7-kilometer run, starting at 6:00 PM from the Mouille Point Lighthouse, serves as both a tribute to the unwavering dedication of nurses and a fundraiser to address the critical shortage of nursing staff in South Africa.​

The 7km distance symbolizes the 7-to-7 shifts that nurses tirelessly work, highlighting the demanding nature of their profession. Sister Teresa Basson, founder of The Exceptional Nurse Campaign, emphasizes the event’s significance:​

“The purpose of the night run is to raise awareness of the critical shortage of professional nurses in South Africa and to promote a culture of honour and gratitude towards all. Nurses play an essential role in the medical profession and health care system. We hope that through the work of The Exceptional Nurse Campaign and events that we host, we can change the tide of negative sentiment by highlighting all of the ‘exceptional nurses’ that help create beautiful miracles every day. Nurses not only form the backbone but the beating heart of our Healthcare System.”

South Africa faces a severe nursing crisis, with an estimated shortage of over 30,000 professional and specialist nurses in the government sector. This disparity results in a patient-to-nurse ratio of 25:1, placing immense pressure on healthcare providers and compromising patient care. ​

Alarmingly, 50% of the nation’s nurses are over the age of 50 and are approaching retirement within the next 10 to 15 years. This impending wave of retirements, coupled with the current training capacity, exacerbates the urgency of the situation. ​

The Exceptional Nurse Campaign aims to mitigate this crisis by raising funds for bursaries to support nursing students, encouraging experienced nurses to specialize in education, and fostering public appreciation for the nursing profession. Participating in the ‘Night Run to Honour Nurses’ directly contributes to these efforts, ensuring a robust and compassionate healthcare workforce for the future. ​

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, May 3, 2025​
• Time: 6:00 PM​
• Starting Point: Mouille Point Lighthouse, Cape Town​
• Distance: 7 kilometers​
• Entry Fee: R130 per person; R70 for children under 12​

To register for the run and make a meaningful impact on the future of nursing in South Africa, please visit https://theexceptionalnurse.org.za/ Join us in honouring our nurses and supporting the next generation of healthcare heroes. Your participation can help transform the landscape of South African healthcare.​