NEW Stoma Nursing Bursary Fund in South Africa!
SASS is very proud to have launched “The Jolanda Janse van Noordwyk (JJ van Noordwyk) Stoma Nurse Bursary Fund” with the aim of securing the Future of Stoma Care Nursing in South Africa during January 2026
South Africa currently has fewer than 100 qualified Stoma Nurses serving a population of over 64 million people.
Even more concerning — an estimated 80% of these nurses are within 10 years of retirement, with very limited succession planning in place.
Without immediate intervention, thousands of ostomates across the country risk losing access to specialised, dignified, and life-changing stoma care.
The Jolanda Janse van Noordwyk (JJ van Noordwyk) Stoma Nurse Bursary Fund was established by SASS to respond directly to this crisis.
This fund is not simply financial assistance.
It is a strategic investment in the future of specialised nursing in South Africa.
A Partnership for Excellence
SASS has formed a formal partnership with the University of the Free State to support nurses enrolling in the Stoma Care Nursing Programme — currently the only Higher Education Institution in South Africa offering this specialised qualification.
The programme itself is delivered as a collaborative academic–clinical initiative between the University of the Free State and Groote Schuur Hospital, in partnership with the Western Cape Department of Health.
This model bridges rigorous academic training with hands-on public-sector clinical excellence, strengthening national capacity and ensuring that specialised stoma care remains embedded within South Africa’s healthcare system.
Through this collaboration, eligible nurses who apply to the University may also apply for the JJ van Noordwyk Bursary Fund to support their studies — reinforcing both academic excellence and patient-centred care.
The University’s Stoma Care Nursing programme equips nurses with:
- Advanced ostomy assessment and management skills
- Management and reduction of complications
- Pouching system selection and prescribing knowledge
- Peristomal skin care expertise
- Pre- and post-operative patient education
- Holistic rehabilitation principles & improving the patient QOL
Through this collaboration, eligible nurses who apply to the University may also apply for the JJ van Noordwyk Bursary Fund to support their studies.
Together, we are strengthening both academic excellence and patient-centred care.
For more information on the course, please visit the UFS WEBSITE
Honouring a Legacy of Teaching and Service
The bursary fund is named in honour of Jolanda Janse van Noordwyk, affectionately known as JJ — a nurse, mentor, teacher, and passionate advocate for ostomates.
JJ has dedicated her career not only to patient care, but to developing and empowering the next generation of Stoma Nurses.
Her work has shaped countless professionals and improved the lives of thousands of patients in both the private and government sectors of South Africa.
A Message from Jolanda
“Stoma care is not just about managing a pouch — it is about restoring dignity, confidence, and hope.
If we do not prepare the next generation of nurses, we risk losing the very foundation of specialised care in our country.
Teaching has always been my way of giving forward. This bursary is not about me — it is about ensuring that long after we retire, patients will still be met with knowledge, compassion, and excellence.
Investing in a nurse is investing in every patient they will ever care for.”
Why This Bursary Matters
Every qualified Stoma Nurse:
- Serves hundreds of patients annually
- Reduces hospital readmissions through proper education and assessments
- Prevents & manage complications
- Improves quality of life and independence
- Reduces long-term healthcare costs
Without urgent succession planning, South Africa faces a significant gap in specialised stoma services — particularly in public healthcare settings.
The JJ van Noordwyk Bursary Fund exists to ensure that the pipeline of skilled Stoma Nurses continues — sustainably and strategically.
How to Apply
To be considered for the JJ van Noordwyk Stoma Nurse Bursary Fund:
- Apply for the Stoma Care Nursing Programme at the University of the Free State.
- Once your university application has been submitted, you will receive:
- The bursary application process
- Required documentation
- Submission timelines
- Eligibility criteria
The bursary application is linked to formal enrolment in the University programme.
A Call to Action
This is more than a bursary.
It is a national advocacy initiative.
If we do not train Stoma Nurses today, we will fail patients tomorrow.
SASS is committed to building capacity, strengthening systems, and ensuring that every ostomate in South Africa has access to specialised, dignified care.
The future of stoma care depends on what we do now.