Local retired nurse pens her experiences of the Soweto Uprising

Retired nurse and Benoni resident Khutsi Mothai turned level five lockdown into an opportunity to write her biography, highlighting her experience as a nurse at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital on June 16, 1976.

The book, Nurses were there – a story about the unsung heroes of the 1976 Soweto Uprising, takes readers back to the Soweto Uprising that created history.

It is commemorated every year on June 16 as Youth Day in honour of the schoolchildren who lost their lives protesting against laws that made Afrikaans compulsory in black township schools.

Khutsi sat with the City Times to talk about her biography that gives a detailed description of her experiences of the day.

“I was not aware of the riots that were taking place before I left home. The bus driver informed me of the protests in Soweto as he was unable to drop me off at my usual stop because he feared they would vandalise his bus.

“He warned me of the dangers I was walking into as a lot of people were injured. As soon as I heard him say that, my nursing instinct kicked in and I knew I needed to get to work.”

She recollected how she moved through the crowd of protestors to get to the hospital. She gave detailed descriptions of the horrors she was faced with at the intake ward, where she was stationed.

“On that particular day, all hospital wards were filled with injured patients.”

After a long night of assisting patients, Khutsi was informed her father, Sam Motlhagodi, who worked as an ambulance driver, was dispatched to go into Soweto, where rioters broke the windows of the vehicle; shattered pieces of glasses went into his face.

Swift response from the army saved his life.

He, however, needed medical attention and due to a large number of patients at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, she had to walk with her father to Helen Joseph Hospital for him to receive medical attention.

Khutsi retired in 2014 as the operational manager at the Tambo Memorial Hospital in Boksburg after 45 years of service.

She explained that her inspiration to become a nurse came from the nurses in her community.

“I chose to be a nurse because I had to help my family financially and I could study on a bursary.”

She highlighted her proudest moments in the book:

• Being one of the first black nurses sent for intensive care unit (ICU) training and appointed as an ICU nurse at Life The Glynnwood Hospital.

• First black night nurse to be left in charge of the ward.

• Becoming the head nurse of the gynaecology ward.

• Moving to England for five years as a nurse specialising in neurology.

• Appointed as the operational manager at the Tambo Memorial Hospital.

“I may have many heartwarming and horror stories as a nurse, but the one incident that validated my decision to be a nurse was when a patient I had treated recognised me while I was in town shopping.

“He approached me and thanked me for looking after him when he was injured on June 16.

“We spent a long time hugging each other and crying.”

Other experiences she highlighted in her book was what her siblings recollected on that particular day as well as their fears when she did not return home on time with her father the next day.

“Writing the book has been nothing short of a therapeutic experience as I could finally write about my life experiences.

“I also believe my book is the first of its kind. I haven’t read any books of nurses sharing their experiences about what transpired on June 16.”

She dedicated the book to all those who were present on June 16, 1976, and to all the frontline workers who are risking their lives during the pandemic.

“I thank them in my book. I also want to encourage learners to choose nursing to make a difference in their community.”

Residents interested in purchasing her book can call 067 224 2210.

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