Four care workers at the Hospice & Rehabilitation Centre @ Alex sobbed and hugged colleagues as they started a new journey.
The four Ntombi Ndebele, Nolizwi Mzalamba, Lucy Kgosana and Thandiwe Maukeng have been enrolled for an auxiliary nursing training course at GEM Nursing Institute. They will also attend a one year computer training course at Khuphulani PC Training Institute.
Commending them at a farewell gathering, hospice director Grace Marutlulle said, “These four girls who are now women came to the centre as 20 year olds and for five years acted in a disciplined and exemplary way when executing their duties.
“They made it easy for us to select them to what will be life-changing opportunities. Such chances are not often available and we hope they will represent us and the Alexandra community well in their training and in their future endeavours.”
Khathu Maphari, managing director of Khuphulani congratulated the four and said they would also receive call centre training to broaden their pool of skills. “This will give you a wider option when making career choices and provide a fall-back position if you want to try another career,” she said.
Priscilla Malope of GEM Nursing Institute highlighted that nursing was a tough job that dealt with people’s lives. “I encourage you not to waste this opportunity and always to refer to us when you need assistance,” she said.
Ike Kekai of the Region E health department lauded the hospice for helping the four to advance themselves. “To persevere in this field you should associate yourselves with positive minded colleagues so that in the end you can be good ambassadors for the region, hospice and Alexandra community,” he said.
Mulalo Vele a former care worker at the hospice and graduate of GEM Nursing Institute informed the care workers that the training would be difficult but, “I expect you to pass because of your experiential learning and the high ethics you gained working at this hospice”.
