Africa-Press – Eswatini. Every year on May 12th, the world comes together to celebrate International Nurses Day, a day dedicated to recognizing the invaluable contributions of nurses to the healthcare system.
The Clinic Group, a first-world leading healthcare provider in Eswatini, celebrated this powerful and brave unsung heroes of healthcare on Monday.
This special occasion not only honours the dedication and hard work of nurses but also highlights the critical role they play in promoting health, providing care, and saving lives.
The theme for this year’s celebration focuses on the importance of mental health and well-being, emphasizing the need for support for both patients and healthcare professionals.
Nurses are often referred to as the backbone of the healthcare system. They are the ones who spend the most time with patients, providing not only medical care but also emotional support and comfort during challenging times.
Their expertise, compassion, and commitment to patient care are essential in ensuring positive health outcomes.
Nurses advocate for their patients, educate families, and work collaboratively with other healthcare professionals to deliver comprehensive care.
In recognition of Nurses Day, this publication had the privilege of sitting down with some of the dedicated nurses from The Clinic Group.
During this insightful interview, they shared their experiences, challenges, and the joys of being a nurse.
Takitsi Fakudze Mbabane Clinic Nursing Supervisor
Question (Q): What does Nurses Day mean to you?
Answer (A): Nurses go into the profession for many different reasons. Mine was personal. I was raised by a nurse. I grew up surrounded by these men and women in white uniforms in the 80s.
The mandate of today’s nurses remains the same as that of Florence Nightingale, that is simply to look after the sick. We are there when a baby takes their first breath, we are most often the last to see them take their last. It is important to remember my ‘why’.
It becomes more than a job, we are called to care for human beings. We are called to preserve lives, to give hope and do it whether we are in public or behind closed doors.
That is the symbol of the candle. Once you light it in 1st year of nursing school, you choose a life of nobleness and healing until you take your last breath where we blow the candle out on your behalf.
It is a very rewarding profession for those who do it with truth and integrity. I’m proud to be part of such a noble profession.
Sr Emerencia Stewart-Ngubane, Manzini Clinic & Matsapha Health Nursing Supervisor
Q: What is Nurses Day’s significance to you?
A: Nurses Day is a reminder of why I chose this noble profession. It is a day dedicated to honouring nurses in their role as caregivers, healers and advocates.
On this day, we celebrate our hard work, recognising all efforts made often in silence and under pressure. It is also a day affirming the value of nurses in the health system and society.
This is a day to reflect, recognize and rejoice in the spirit of nursing— built on the foundation laid by Florence Nightingale and carried forward every day by incredible professionals worldwide.
Q: Please a message to all nurses.
A: On this special day, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to each of you. Your compassion, strength, and unwavering dedication are the foundation of the care we provide.
You go above and beyond every day, bringing comfort, hope, and healing to those in need. As your Nursing Manager, I am proud to lead such an inspiring team.
Your hard work does not go unnoticed, and today we celebrate you—not just for what you do, but for who you are. Thank you for your service, your spirit, and your heart.
I urge you to keep ur light beaming and rekindle the light to other nurses in the field. Happy Nurses Day!
Ayanda Mamba, Casualty Nurse at Manzini Clinic
Q: What do you wish the public better understood about nursing?
A: What I wish the public better understood about nursing is that, as nurses, we prioritize their health and well-being even above our own.
We are the heart of the healthcare system—working tirelessly, often behind the scenes, to ensure quality care for every patient.
We do not shift blame when things get tough; instead, we take responsibility, work collaboratively with our teams, and act with integrity and compassion.
At the core of everything we do is a commitment to serve with empathy, uphold patient dignity, and remain dedicated to continuous improvement, which reflects the core values of our clinic group.
Lancy Sibanda, Occupational health nurse at Matsapha Healthcare Clinic
Q: What is your proudest moment as a nurse?
A: My proudest moments as a nurse are seeing a patient smile and walking out of the hospital satisfied with the care received, as well as getting appreciation from management for the work that we do.
Babazile Motsa, Midwife at Mbabane Clinic
Q: Tell us about that one time you faced a medical emergency and how responded to it.
A: One memorable medical emergency occurred shortly after I completed my Midwifery practice.
My pregnant sister went into labour while at home, and as we were preparing to take her to the hospital, she suddenly felt the urge to push.
Despite feeling a wave of anxiety fuelled by all the potential complications I had studied, I knew I had to stay calm and rely on my training.
I quickly gathered myself and applied the Midwifery skills I had acquired to assist with the delivery. Although I was afraid, I pushed aside my fears and focused on ensuring the safety of both mother and baby.
Thankfully, the delivery went smoothly without any complications. We then immediately transported them to the hospital for follow-up care.
I am grateful for that experience, as it reaffirmed my ability to respond effectively under pressure.
Q: How do you recharge after a tough day at work?
A: One thing about me is that I turn to prayer. I draw strength from God, as I truly believe He placed me in this profession for a purpose.
During challenging days, I find comfort in His word and pray for peace and renewal. I also make sure to get enough rest, and talking to my mother, who always seems to have the right words for any situation, is incredibly therapeutic.
Her support, combined with my faith, helps me stay grounded and ready to face each new day.
Nokulunga Hadzebe, Nurse at Matsapha Healthcare Clinic
Q: What do I wish the public better understood about nursing?
A: One aspect that is often underappreciated is the emotional demands of the nursing profession. Nurses are not only responsible for physical care but also serve as emotional anchors for patients and their families during some of life’s most difficult moments.
This constant emotional labour can take a toll on their mental health. I wish the public could better understand that nurses are human too, compassionate individuals who experience stress, fatigue, and emotional strain.
A little more empathy and kindness from the public can go a long way in supporting the well-being of those who care for others.
Q: What has been your proudest moment as a nurse?
A: My proudest moments as a nurse come every time a patient expresses gratitude or offers positive feedback about the care I’ve provided.
Those simple words of appreciation reassure me that I’m making a real difference in someone’s life. They remind me why I chose this profession and inspired me to keep working hard, with dedication, compassion, and a smile.
Nelisiwe LaNgwenya, Nurse at Matsapha Healthcare Clinic
Q: What inspired you to become a nurse, and has that motivation changed over time?
A: Growing up near a local public hospital, I was constantly exposed to the sight of nurses heading to work and, more significantly, to the transformation of patients who arrived sick and later returned home healthier.
Witnessing that positive change inspired me deeply—I aspired to be one of those people making a real difference in others’ lives.
That early motivation shaped my path, and to this day, my commitment to providing compassionate, high-quality healthcare to the people of Eswatini remains just as strong.
Helping others through nursing continues to be both gratifying and inspiring for me.
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