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Employment and Labour Deputy Minister Judith Nemadzinga-Tshabalala has described the relaunch of Rand Mutual Assurance (RMA) Welkom Subacute Rehabilitation Hospital as a beacon of hope and a testament to government's shared commitment to the well-being of South Africa's workers and communities.

“We gather not only to celebrate the opening of a world-class facility, but to reaffirm the values that underpin our democracy: dignity, compassion, and the unwavering pursuit of a better life for all. In the spirit of partnership and progress, this hospital stands as a living symbol of what can be achieved when government, business, and civil society unite in service of the people," said Nemadzinga-Tshabalala. 

Deputy Minister Nemadzinga-Tshabalala was speaking today (3 October 2025) during the relaunch of the RMA Welkom Subacute Rehabilitation Hospital. The relaunch of the facility today in the Free State is expected to provide a fillip, especially to those who are injured in the workplace and are reintegrated into the labour market.

Nemadzinga-Tshabalala said the Department of Employment and Labour remains unwavering in its commitment to restoring dignity and justice to our ex-mineworkers - men and women who have, under the most hazardous conditions, contributed immensely to the economic development of our country. She said the city of Welkom and the broader Goldfields region in the Free State stand as powerful symbols of this legacy - once the heartbeat of South Africa's gold mining industry and a key driver of national growth and employment.

“It was through the sweat and sacrifice of mineworkers in this region, drawn from neighbouring countries within the SADC, that South Africa's industrial and financial sectors were built.

“Today, through the Compensation Fund and in partnership with institutions such as Rand Mutual Assurance, we are actively addressing the long-standing issue of unclaimed benefits, particularly for migrant workers from neighbouring countries such as Lesotho and Eswatini. Bilateral engagements and regional summits are being pursued to strengthen cross-border coordination, resolve legacy claims, and ensure that no eligible beneficiary is left behind," she said.

Rand Mutual Assurance (RMA) was founded on 1 June 1894 to handle the administration of claims for occupational injuries and diseases according to the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA). It is a mutual assurance organisation owned by its policyholders. Its Welkom hospital is licensed by the Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF), a representative body to the healthcare funding industry, to be a Sub-acute and Rehabilitation (Practice 49) facility.

Nemadzinga-Tshabalala said, “Let this hospital stand as a symbol of excellence, innovation, and hope. It is more than bricks and mortar; it is a promise to every worker, every patient, and every family that their well-being matters."

RMA Executive: Human Capital, Gabby Nxumalo, said the assurance plans to build another similar hospital in Gauteng next year. Nxumalo said the relaunch of the facility was also a practical response to COID Act amendments.

Mandla Shezi, Chief Executive Officer, RMA Group, said that through the facility, the company would offer vocational re-skilling, help injured workers regain independence, rebuild livelihoods, and re-enter the economy with dignity. In this way, protection does not just become a slogan, but becomes a lived reality of care that covers reskilling and dignity, Shezi further said.

“This hospital is a purpose-built ecosystem that unites the full spectrum of services under one roof. Recovery is incomplete until workers can re-enter the economic activity and gain dignity through economic participation," Shezi said. “Our message to every worker is very clear – we will never forget you".

This project demonstrates responsible corporate citizenship, he said.

Department of Employment and Labour Acting Director General, Jacky Molisane, said the re-launch of the RMA Rehabilitation Sub-Acute Hospital, a facility that represents not only a renewal of infrastructure, but a reaffirmation of shared commitment to restoring dignity, health, and economic inclusion for injured and diseased workers.

“RMA, as one of the licensed administrators of the Compensation Fund, has consistently demonstrated excellence in delivering patient-centred rehabilitation services. This facility is a testament to that commitment, and its re-launch today marks a significant milestone in our journey to implement the new chapter in the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act, which places rehabilitation, reintegration, and return to work at the heart of our legislative and administrative agenda," Molisane said.

She said health shocks, whether due to injury or illness, are not just medical events; they are economic risks. She said the facility was a symbol of how public-private partnerships, guided by sound legislation and strategic intent, can deliver real impact for workers and their families.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Teboho Thejane

Departmental Spokesperson

082 697 0694/ teboho.thejane@labour.gov.za

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Issued by: Department of Employment and Labour​