Edwin Nukeri grew up in the rural village of Nkambako in Limpopo. One of his childhood memories is walking 45 kilometres just to see a doctor. These experiences made him curious about how he can help people get medical attention when they need it. He has always had a passion for helping others and initially set his sights on becoming a nurse but it was when he was introduced to the work of paramedics that he found a true calling.
Nukeri grew up in a family with eight siblings. He remembers how their mother, Mamaila Nukeri, made it a tradition to gather around the fire every night after dinner.
After supper he and his eight siblings would gather around the fire for storytelling, catching up on each other’s days, and telling folktales, a tradition his mother had instilled in them.
Stronger together
Their family unity kept them united even when they were away from home. He says the distance from their school was long and scary, but they didn’t even feel it because of the strong unity they had.
“I remember walking a long way to Nkambako primary school while crying hysterically as I was scared of the school environment.”
Edwin Nukeri
After school, he would take care of his family’s livestock as a shepherd, and on weekends and holidays, he would help out as a farmer’s assistant. He explains that his mother raised them with the help of the income from selling their farm produce in nearby communities.
Nukeri says their family always went to church on Sunday, even with their other responsibilities. Their mother made sure they were good at managing their time.
Always responsible
“You would need to know when to do certain tasks from my home, so you don’t miss any other duties in between.”
He adds that his father was working in Johannesburg, and they rarely saw him, so her mother was doing everything for them.
“Life was hard sometimes, especially when my father didn’t send money for food; in the hot, harsh weather of Limpopo, we had to sell tomatoes around Nkambako and Makhwatini villages.”
Nukeri has seen poverty. He recalls having to go locust hunting with his siblings sometimes to have something to eat with pap. That’s all they could do, and they made it through those trying times.
READ NEXT: Dr Spondo goes to the ends of the earth for her patients in EC
Meeting life on the other side of the country
Nukeri completed high school at Mahwahwa High School in 1996 and then started working on a farm. While working, a worker got caught in a machine accident, which sparked an idea of what he could become.
“After watching how the first aid was given to the patient, I began to picture myself wearing a uniform and assisting the injured.”
Nukeri enrolled at Kempton Park Technical College in 1999 to study electrical engineering. However, when he reached N3, he found it difficult to handle the electrical modules, as he always felt the void. He had a dream of becoming a paramedic instead.
“In 2003, I trained to become a security officer and then worked in Johannesburg for a year. I had to quit my security job because the working conditions were not satisfying. In 2004, I worked as a petrol attendant.”
Nukeri, who obtained a bank loan for his paramedic training, stated that the situation worsened financially after he had his first child.
However, he persevered and was able to enrol in the City of Johannesburg Firefighters’ learnership programme.
“In 2009, I started working for Nirvana private ambulance services in Brakpan. My job involved being sent to various locations across the country, such as mines, power stations, and operational services, to respond to both primary and secondary calls.”
“I currently work for Gauteng EMS as an emergency care officer, serving the Orange Farm area and the surrounding townships.”
Career fulfilment
The fast-paced and often life-saving work of paramedics was a perfect fit for Nukeri’s skills and personality. After 15 years of working as a paramedic, he is living his dream and doing what he loves.
He believes that the absence of healthcare facilities in Nkambako had tragic consequences for many residents.
The lack of well-maintained roads made it even more difficult for villagers to seek help when they needed it. He believes that with better infrastructure and services, lives could have been saved. This experience inspired him to pursue a career dedicated to saving lives and improving access to healthcare.
Today, he is doing his bit to help the community and he will not give up because lives depend on it.
ALSO READ: ‘It takes a village to raise a child,’ doctor confirms
Get the Health For Mzansi newsletter: Your bi-weekly dose of kasi health, wellness and self-care inspiration.
