Bertha Gxowa Hospital nurse celebrated for excellence in education

Sr Zanele Tembe Mncube, a professional nurse and clinical programme coordinator at Bertha Gxowa Hospital, is passionate about nurturing the next generation of nurses.

Her dedication was recently recognised when she received the best academic achievement award during the hospital’s International Nurses Day celebration at the Dr Clarence Mini Hall in late May.

A child and neonatal nursing specialist, Mncube plays a pivotal role in the hospital’s clinical education and training department. She oversees the professional development of nurses, ensuring alignment with the South African Nursing Council and Council on Higher Education guidelines.

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She also coordinates training programmes to enhance skills and competencies among staff. A strong advocate for continuing education, Mncube completed the “train the trainer” programme herself, passing all five modules and earning three distinctions in Child Nursing Science while pursuing a postgraduate diploma at Garankuwa Nursing Campus in Pretoria.

“Being recognised for my academic excellence truly humbles me.

“I’m grateful to the management at Bertha Gxowa for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to lead and teach others. They’ve helped me step out of my comfort zone and grow professionally,” she said.

With 15 years of experience, Mncube has worked at various institutions including Pholosong and Netcare Sunward Park hospitals, where she mentored neonatal nurses.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in Management and Education from the University of Johannesburg, specialising in health and occupational safety.

“I’m proud to use my skills and knowledge to make a difference,” she added.

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Mncube said International Nurses Day is about more than recognition — it’s about motivating nurses to keep learning and serving their communities.

“In our department, we have a ‘Nurse of the Month’ award to inspire everyone to strive for excellence.”

Her passion for nursing was born out of personal experience. As a young woman caring for her bedridden aunt in KwaZulu-Natal, Mncube showed such compassion that nurses at the local hospital predicted she’d one day join the profession. Their words stuck with her.

“After matric, I took a gap year before applying for bursaries. I started as an enrolled nurse in the theatre at Manguze Hospital but, facing delays in professional nurse training, I resigned and used my savings to pursue a nursing diploma at Michaelmas Nursing College in Pietermaritzburg.”

Later, a friend in Gauteng encouraged her to join Life Roseacres Hospital as an agency nurse. While there, she applied to several institutions and chose Pholosong Hospital after securing the position the same day as her interview.

“I took a calculated risk, and through faith and resilience, I succeeded. The youth can learn from that — sometimes, you have to take a leap of faith,” she said.

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Mncube also paid tribute to the late Sr Carol Nxumalo, a midwife specialist and sonographer recently passed.

“She had such a bright personality and loved her work,” Mncube said. “She was bold, confident, and often made us laugh. She used to say, ‘Sister, look at me — I’m beautiful just like you.’ She will be dearly missed.”