A special birthday party was held for Theo van Niekerk, who celebrated his 41 years of service at the South African National Blood Service (SANBS).

Theo started working at the South African Blood Transfusion Service in 1983 and passed the medical technician exam in 1990.

“At that time, we were multi-skilled and did everything. We did the whole process, starting from recruiting donors till the end product, where blood is given out in the lab.”

During those years, there were only five staff members in Middelburg, consisting of Hettie du Toit as Branch Manager, Annette Rheeder as Head of Collections and Laboratory, Mercia Jacobs as Phlebotomist, Trienie Schutte as the Sister and Theo.

In the 80s and 90s, Theo worked everywhere, “I relieved in all branches in Mpumalanga, from the branch manager to the phlebotomist.”

Their furthest clinics were in Pence, Waterval Boven and Lydenburg.
“Specimens were sent via the railroad. We worked from 08:00 till 12:00, admin and clinic prep, and then returned at 15:00 to go and do the mobile clinics without any overtime. There were only allowances. One person stayed behind and did calls in the lab.”

In 1984, Izaak Postma joined their team.

Theo worked as a multi-skills phlebotomist from 1990 to 1998 and then moved to the training department for seven years in Constantia.

“I trained the lab assistants and technicians, as well as training the sisters to insert needles. The staff I trained are my pride and joy! I am very proud of each one of them.”
From 2005 until 2010, Theo was the lab supervisor at Tzaneen but returned to Middelburg as a specialised supervisor on April 1, 2010, until his retirement.
“The SANBS became my family, and I wish them all the best for their journey in the company. Thank you, and goodbye after 4l years and nearly 6 months.”