He started writing down a few notes about his life when he was about 19 years old and later added some photos to the notes.
This was all neatly done in an ordinary A4 text book which has now become a published book with 15 photos.
The Benoni resident’s nursing career started at the tender age of 17 when the matron at the Far East Rand Hospital, the late Judith Jansen van Vuuren, thought it best that he spend his school holidays working at the hospital.
Sybrand started his nursing studies at the age of 19 during a time when nursing was a predominantly female career choice.
While working at the Johannesburg General Hospital he completed his Standard Nine and 10 in one year through a correspondence course.
“It was a time when I knew I wanted to further my nursing career and I needed matric to further my nursing studies,” he says.
He soon excelled in his career and made headlines in 1974 when he became the first male matron in South Africa.
Sybrand also qualified as a coacher and in 1985 he was appointed head matron at a private hospital in Germiston.
Nursing is the one thing he loves, but when he refers to the N17 Hospital he is proud to call it his baby.
“I was present when the hospital opened on July 1, 1999,” he says.
He retired at the age of 65, but is still working on a part-time basis at the hospital.
“I feel privileged to still be able to offer my services at the N17 and the staff are wonderful,” he says.
He is grateful and honoured for his God given strength which has enabled him to continue to work at the age of 75.
Although his book is well accepted by the nursing staff, his African colleagues have asked him to translate the book into their language.
“My contract with the publisher states that I have to wait until September, before a decision can be made whether the book will be translated into English or any of the 11 languages,” he says.
Sharing most of his nursing experiences in the book, he believes the book may easily be used for training purposes.
The book is available at all PNA stores.
