What South Africa’s public servants really earn
What South Africa's public servants really earn. Government budgeted R754. 2 billion for employee compensation in 2024/25. Here's what public servants earn, from the lowest salary levels to the highest.
What happened
Here's what public servants earn, from the lowest salary levels to the highest. News South AfricaAt 82, Dr Dolly Nyasulu earns her PhD at UKZN after decades in maternal healthcareYasmine Jacobs|Published 1 hour agoAsk AI 3minUKZN's Dean of Research at the College of Health Sciences, Professor Bongani Nkambule, reads out Dr Dolly Nyasulu's thesis at her graduation. The South African Community of Faith-Based Fraternals and Federations (SACOFF) is calling for transparent answers on funding, police capacity and forensic delays after the discovery of seven women’s bodies in Ekurhuleni.
Despite facing sharp criticism from James Dalton, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu proved across the All Blacks series why he remains South Africa's most gift-laden playmaker. It has been such a long journey, with many challenges along the way, so reaching this point feels very special to me. ”Her study, titled A Family-Centred Postnatal Care Approach (FCPC) in Rural KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Province, South Africa, examined the potential of involving families in postnatal care alongside healthcare providers, including midwives.
While family-centred care is not a new concept internationally, she said it has not yet been fully implemented within South Africa’s healthcare system. IOLAsk AIRelated Topics:ukznukzn graduateWednesday, September 16, 2026NewsCrime and CourtsSouth AfricaAfricaWorldBRICSEducationEnergyEnvironmentFeel GoodGovernment at WorkOpinionPoliticsOpinionOpinionNewsPoliticsEntertainmentLifestyleTechSportBusinessJobsEconomyPropertyWindow on ChinaHybrid WorkingEntertainmentCelebrity NewsStreamingMoviesMusicBooksWhats OnJoburgDurbanCape TownPretoriaOpinionLifestyleHealthBeautyFashionFoodRelationshipsParentingCompetitionsOpinionTravelLocalInternationalTechSoftware and InternetEsportsOpinionSportSoccerPSLRugbyCricketMMABettingOpinionHorse RacingMotoringReviewsLaunchesIndustry NewsMotorsport
The wider picture
Image: Supplied/UKZNIt is really never too late to achieve your dreams. At 82, Dr Dolly Nontuthuzelo Nyasulu has graduated with a Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), completing a lifelong academic journey shaped by decades of work in maternal and newborn health. Her PhD adds another chapter to a career dedicated to mothers, babies, families and healthcare professionals – while underscoring her belief that it is never too late to learn, persevere and make a meaningful contribution to society.
2 billion for employee compensation in 2024/25. Nyasulu’s doctoral research explored how families could be more meaningfully involved in caring for mothers and newborns, particularly through a family-centred postnatal care approach in rural KwaZulu-Natal. “I feel incredibly good and very excited,” Nyasulu said. “I still can’t believe that I have made it to the finish line. The study was supervised by Professor Myra Taylor and Dr Nelisiwe Khuzwayo.
What has been reported
According to Nyasulu’s research, midwives and other key informants responded positively to the family-centred approach and suggested ways to strengthen family involvement even before a baby is born. Nyasulu believes that successfully implementing family-centred care could strengthen the continuum of maternal and newborn care and potentially contribute to saving the lives of mothers and babies. A career shaped by midwiferyBorn in King William’s Town in the Eastern Cape, Nyasulu is the eldest of nine children.
Her professional journey began with general nursing before she went on to specialise in midwifery, psychiatric nursing, advanced midwifery and neonatal nursing. She later completed a Bachelor of Nursing Degree in Community Health Nursing and Nursing Administration, followed by a Clinical Master’s in Nursing specialising in Maternal, Child and Women’s Health. Her passion for maternal care began during her nursing training at Livingstone Hospital in Port Elizabeth in 1964. Nyasulu recalled being fascinated by stories shared by midwives who travelled to women’s homes to deliver babies.
These births involved entire families, with relatives playing different roles in supporting both the mother and midwife.
What happens next
Those early experiences stayed with her and inspired her to specialise in midwifery. “This study feels like a full-circle moment for me,” she said, having spent decades studying and practising midwifery before returning to the importance of family involvement in childbirth and maternal care. Her career included serving as KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Maternal, Child and Women’s Health Coordinator and working on initiatives focused on maternal and newborn health. She also contributed to midwifery education, healthcare policy and the development of national and provincial maternal and newborn care guidelines.
Personal loss during PhD journeyUnfortunately, Nyasulu’s journey to completing her doctorate was also marked by personal loss. During her studies, she lost her daughter in 2019, followed by two brothers and, a few years later, her husband, Guy, who had been her greatest supporter. She also faced health challenges and had to adapt to the technological demands of postgraduate study.
The report has been compiled by The Daily Waves using information reported across iol.co.za. Details are presented according to the information available at the time of publication and may change as authorities, organisers or other relevant parties provide updates.