01/09/2025
This picture takes me back to my very first year as a Bcur Nursing student in 1985— a time of both challenge and growth. I was the first non-Zulu speaking student in my class, and very quickly I learned that to serve my patients with compassion and excellence, I had to go beyond textbooks. Communication was at the heart of care, and for me that meant immersing myself in the Zulu language, learning not only words but the culture, respect, and humanity carried through them.
It was not easy — there were days of frustration, doubt, and moments when giving up seemed tempting. But through determination, resilience, and hard work, I persevered. Learning Zulu became more than a requirement to pass my first year; it became a bridge to connect with patients, to listen deeply, and to heal with understanding. Looking back, I see this season as a foundation that shaped me not just as a nurse, but as a person who believes that with courage and effort, barriers can be turned into stepping stones.
