Retired nurses social group shares memories
The KwaBhathini Old Nurses Social Group is growing from strength to strength, with retirement tips or experiences being shared among its members at their support and social gatherings.
Within a month of its inception, a social group comprising retired nurses from Murchison District Hospital has grown tremendously.
These nurses who worked at the hospital from 1965, 1970 and 1975 met at St Michael’s Hotel recently, to socialise and share memories.
Some of them grew up in Murchison and witnessed the health facility’s development during Apartheid.
In 1928, Dr Barton rode on horseback to attend to his patients in their mud huts. However, many came to see him in his hut at the site of the current hospital, and this was the start of what became known as ‘KwaBhathini’ – The Place of Barton.
Dr Barton was eventually granted land by the Chief and in 1928, he erected a wood and corrugated iron building which housed six beds, the beginning of the Mission Murchison Hospital.
In 1978, the hospital was taken over by the State Department of Health. However, the vision and values remained and are still evident today.
The KwaBhathini Old Nurses Social Group is growing from strength to strength, with retirement tips or experiences being shared among its members at their support and social gatherings.
The group held its first get together at St Michael’s after their WhatsApp group attracted more women from Ugu, Alfred Nzo and eTthekwini districts.
More retirees are scattered around the country, and they wholeheartedly believe in their own social support, networking and caring for each other.
They have noticed that no one cares about them after retirement from the health profession and that they feel neglected or devalued in society. According to them, this neglect leads to distress and diseases, so it is important for them to keep their minds active and busy.
Nokuthula Mantshiyo said she grew up in Murchison and witnessed the inception of the hospital. “The local doctor opened a community clinic at his house and operated from his garage. Again they built a church and we saw a hospital being established. I got a job at the hospital, this was during the Apartheid government.”
The women were addressed by Thandazile Nhleko, part of the hospital’s management team, who encouraged the retirees to grow their social group, to mitigate stress and avoid being lonely.
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