‘Medicine treats, nurses heal,’ says ‘singing sister’

Sister Thathakahle Gumede (58), Operational Manager at Philani Clinic, which falls under GJ Crookes Hospital in the Ugu Health District, has long been hailed for her positive approach to nursing.

Thathakahle has always been passionate about her job. She enjoys singing to her patients and going out of her way to ensure that they feel as relaxed as possible when visiting the hospital or clinic.

ALSO READ : Port Shepstone Regional Hospital nurses recommit to saving lives

This has earned her kudos in various newspapers, on radio stations and television and even on the KZN Health MEC, Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu’s Facebook page.

Her parents were both teachers, and all her siblings followed the same career path.

Thathakahle’s mother was extremely upset that she didn’t want to take up teaching, but eventually realised that her daughter was a born nurse, showing her caring side from a young age.

She has since racked up an impressive 33 year nursing career, which began at Murchison Hospital.

She has also spent time at Primary Health Care (PHC) working at a mobile clinic, and enjoyed stints at Halley Stott and Umnini Clinic.

Thathakahle started working at GJ Crookes Hospital as PHC supervisor in August 2005.

In March 2015 she took a break for health reasons, but returned to the hospital in January 2017 as an operational manager.

In July 2018, she joined Philani Clinic in the same capacity.

It was while working for a mobile clinic in Umzinto in 1989 that Thathakahle started composing songs addressing health education and awareness, and began performing these songs for her patients.

She still performs for her patients at the Philani Clinic.

Thathakahle said that by singing and dancing for her patients, she helps them forget about their problems for a while.

“Patients show a positive reaction when she sings and dances and they thoroughly enjoy her performing,” said Maxwell Mbanjwa, Public Relations Officer at GJ Crookes Hospital and Acting AD Communications of the Ugu District.

“Sr Gumede also has a positive effect on staff and some have now started to sing for patients when doing health education in the mornings.”

In addition to her musical talents, Thathakahle has opened a soup kitchen, funded with money raised by the clinic staff, at the Philani Clinic.

She has also started a veggie garden at the back of the clinic to help patients who might not have food at home and to encourage others to start similar projects.

“My advice to nurses is that we must do our work diligently and religiously and not allow anything to tarnish the image of our noble profession,” she said.

“I strongly believe that medicine treats, but the nurse’s good attitude heals.”

HAVE YOUR SAY

Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram