ICN mourns the tragic death of Lesotho nursing leader Morephe Santi
Photo caption: Morephe Santi (left), pictured with colleagues from the Lesotho NNA at the ICN Congress 2025 in Helsinki, Finland.
The International Council of Nurses (ICN) is deeply saddened by the tragic death of Mr Morephe Sylvester Santi, General Secretary of the Lesotho Nurses Association (LeNMO), who passed away on 10 April 2026.
ICN 3rd Vice-President Perpetual Ofori-Ampofo said:
“The sudden and untimely passing of Mr. Santi has sent shockwaves across National Nursing Associations throughout Africa and beyond.
Mr Santi was a dedicated and tireless leader, deeply committed to the growth and advancement of the nursing profession and the growth of the Lesotho Nursing and Midwifery Organisation and African Nurses and Midwives Confederation.
His passion was evident in the warmth and ease with which he connected with colleagues and leaders across the continent.
We will forever cherish the sound of his laughter, miss his radiant smile, and remember his insightful and thoughtful contributions in every meeting he graced. His legacy will continue to inspire us all.
I extend my deepest condolences to his family, the Lesotho Nursing and Midwifery Organisation, as well as its members and staff, during this time of profound loss.
May you find strength and comfort in the memories you shared and the lasting impact of his life and work.
May his soul rest in perfect peace.”
Mr Santi was a respected nursing leader and a member of ICN’s Global Nursing Leadership Institute (GNLI) 2023 cohort. He was widely recognized for his energy, positivity, and strong commitment to advancing the nursing profession and improving health care in Lesotho.
ICN Chief Executive Officer Howard Catton said:
“This is truly tragic news and we feel the loss deeply at ICN. Mr Santi was known personally to many of us as he was a GNLI scholar just three years ago.
He was taken far too early. At just 32, he was a young leader and a fine example of an emerging next generation of nursing leadership. Importantly, he was someone who fully embraced and was deeply committed to his National Nursing Association, demonstrating the vital role such organisations play in strengthening the profession and supporting nurses.
He touched and positively impacted the lives of so many of us, and that is important to hold onto during the pain of our grief. His influence will live on through the colleagues he inspired, including the leadership of the Lesotho Nurses Association and the many young nurse leaders he mentored.”
GNLI leaders Dr Diana J. Mason, Programme Director of the ICN Global Nursing Leadership Institute and Senior Policy Service Professor at George Washington University School of Nursing, and Dr Patsy Yates AM, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health at Queensland University of Technology, said:
“Santi was a wonderful contributor to the GNLI programme. He brought a unique sense of energy and passion to the group, and his commitment to advancing the nursing profession in Lesotho was so very strong. Sadly, we have lost someone who had so much more to offer the communities he served.”
Colleagues across the nursing community have expressed deep shock and sadness at his passing, remembering him as a dedicated leader with integrity, warmth and vision.
ICN extends its sincere condolences to Mr Santi’s family, friends, and colleagues, and stands in solidarity with the Lesotho Nurses Association during this difficult time.
His legacy will live on through the impact of his work and the inspiration he provided to others.