Bertha Gxowa Hospital remembers compassionate midwife

The Bertha Gxowa Hospital paid its last respects to one of its staff members, Sr. Carol Bikelwa Nxumalo, during a memorial ceremony held on June 5 at the Dr. Clarence Mini Hall. The service was attended by family members, hospital colleagues, and friends.

Nxumalo was remembered fondly as a friendly, and bubbly person who loved her work and patients alike.

The hospital’s CEO, Lebohang Khumalo, offered condolences to the family and shared a heartfelt message of motivation.

During her address, she paid tribute to Nxumalo, describing her as an exceptional professional and a vibrant, joyful presence.

ALSO READ: Bertha Gxowa Hospital honours top secretary

“Today, we gather with heavy hearts to celebrate the life and service of our dear colleague, advanced midwife Carol Nxumalo,” she said.

“Carol joined Bertha Gxowa Hospital in January 2006 as a professional nurse, and even back then, she was renowned for her compassion, infectious laughter, and dedication to her patients, which came from the heart.

“After a brief break, she returned in 2018 as an advanced midwife and served with distinction and grace until this year.

“Those who worked alongside Carol knew her as someone who brought energy and colour to every space she entered.

ALSO READ: Bertha Gxowa Hospital honours nurses for dedication and service

“She was bubbly, full of life, and always had a kind word, a bright smile, or a humorous story to share, even on the most challenging days,” said Khumalo.

“But behind that infectious laugh was a fiercely competent professional. Carol held the lives of mothers and newborns in her skilled hands, and she never took that responsibility lightly. Her calm, confident presence in labour wards reassured many women as they brought new life into the world.

“She embodied the spirit of what it means to be a midwife: courage, compassion, competence, and commitment,” said Khumalo.

“The hospital has lost not only a colleague but a part of our heartbeat.

The void she leaves is immense, not only in the wards where she worked, but in our hearts, in our conversations, in our shared laughter.

ALSO READ: Bertha Gxowa Hospital spreads awareness on TB

“To her family, thank you for sharing her with us. Please know that her legacy will continue in the stories we tell, in the lives she helped bring into the world, and in the standard, she set for those who follow in her footsteps.

“Carol, your light may no longer shine here with us, but its warmth will linger for a long time to come. May your beautiful soul rest in eternal peace,” said Khumalo, who handed the family parting gifts.