Sylvia Mzinyathi of Mount Fletcher in the Eastern Cape had a rocky start to her nursing journey, but it became rewarding when she qualified as a registered nurse at the age of 40.
During her adolescent years, Mzinyathi cared for a family member who developed an abscess following a doctor’s injection, which resulted in an incision and a large hole in her buttocks. Mzinyathi was responsible for her care throughout the entire process. She believes that the situation helped her comprehend what she would become later in life.
‘It hasn’t been a bed of roses’
She completed her matriculation in 1988 at Zibi Meyer Secondary School in Mount Fletcher. Mzinyathi then applied to Maluti Teachers College, but unfortunately, her application was not accepted due to being submitted late. She states that the entire year of 1988 was wasted, so she made the decision to travel to Cape Town in 1989.
During her journey to Cape Town, she encountered unexpected challenges that made things more difficult than she had anticipated. As a result, she found herself searching for employment and eventually secured a job in 1993 at Protea Park Old Age Home in Sea Point.
Mzinyathi says she found the experience of working at an old age home truly amazing, which has led her to discover her calling in nursing.
“I worked as a geriatric companion, which was the official job title then.”
In 1995, she moved to Highlands House, a Jewish old age home. During this time, her salary increased from R430 to R740.
“I was fortunate to be chosen for the opportunity to upgrade from being a geriatric carer to an enrolled nursing assistant at Highlands House.”
Returning to school as a mother and wife
In 1997, Mzinyathi was selected as one of the top 20 candidates to pursue nursing assistant courses at Highlands House. At the time, she was already married and things became tougher for her.
To her surprise, she discovered she was pregnant while studying. She had to temporarily pause her studies to go on maternity leave.
The journey was not easy – she had to juggle the roles of mother, wife, and student while pursuing her education.
“There was a time when I had to leave my family and live at the college in order to avoid failing.”
It was all worth it when she became a registered nurse at the age of 40.
Finding motivation
Mzinyathi’s work has taken her to many different communities, and her focus has always been on helping people overcome the stigma associated with health issues.
She started her professional career as a registered nurse at Mowbray Maternity in 2007. After that, she worked at Nyanga Clinic in 2008, followed by Doctors Without Borders in Khayelitsha and City Health. She has worked in various locations, including the Northern Subdistrict Brackenfell Office, and the Eastern Subdistrict, and is currently at Ikhwezi CDC (clinic) in Nomzamo, Strand.
Her commitment to serving others is deeply rooted in her love for her daughter, who once sent her a heartfelt message about the positive impact of having a mother like Mzinyathi. That message has lived with her, fueling her efforts to make a difference in the lives of others.
Words of inspiration
“In 2016, my daughter sent me a video message while she was in her first year of university. In the message, she expressed how much she appreciated having a mother like me, someone who is both a parent and a friend to her. She said that knowing I’m not only there for her, but also for so many others, fills her heart with joy.”
Mzinyathi asserts that she retains this motivation to this day.
“In 2019, my world was turned upside down when my daughter, who had always been my inspiration, passed away from Hodgkin’s lymphoma. While the loss is still felt deeply, I find comfort in the knowledge that her memory and her words of gratitude will live on with me forever.”
Unleashing her potential
According to Mzinyathi, success in life is not always immediate or easy to achieve. She describes her own journey toward obtaining a professional education as being filled with challenges but notes that hope kept her moving forward.
She believes that perseverance and a positive attitude can help anyone overcome obstacles and reach their goals.
“The hope and faith that I have kept me going, regardless of age and time. It has allowed me to see beyond my circumstances and believe in a brighter future.”
Mzinyathi’s journey has been a long and challenging one, but she is living proof that with persistence and a strong sense of purpose, anyone can reach their goals. She encourages others to focus on their own individual purpose and to never lose sight of their dreams.
“There are many paths to a destination. That’s why we must never lose sight of our purpose, no matter how hard the journey may be,” she says.
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