Background:

Little is known about the experiences and impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the mental health and wellbeing of healthcare workers (HCWs), particularly in Global South contexts.

Aim:

The authors aimed to explore the experiences of HCWs at different points during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa.

Setting:

This study’s sample included 621 HCWs from various professions and health sectors who completed the survey during the pandemic peaks of waves I, II and III in South Africa.

Methods:

The authors used a qualitative survey design exploring participants’ general work, life, mental health and wellbeing experiences, and their support mechanisms or strategies. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results:

The authors identified three overarching themes in the data, namely stress, adjustment to work during COVID-19, and support experiences and needs. These themes were common across all three survey waves, with some minor differences noted across the waves.

Conclusion:

An overarching thread of uncertainty seems central to HCWs’ experiences of working during COVID-19, related to pressures in the South African healthcare system that have been aggravated by the pandemic.

Contribution:

These findings have the potential to inform the development of contextually relevant approaches to support the mental health and wellbeing needs of HCWs during and after a pandemic. In particular, workplaces need to actively offer psychological support to all HCWs, not just to workers traditionally defined as frontline.