About

Masibambisane Retired Nurses Organisation is a non-governmental organisation composed of retired nurses residing in and around Clermont, Pinetown in KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa). Our moto is “United to promote togetherness”, hence the name MASIBAMBISANE, meaning holding together in IsiZulu.

The objectives of the organisation are:

To promote the spirit of unity/sisterhood among the retired nurses, especially during difficult times such as sickness and bereavement.
To establish funds to achieve the objectives of the organisation.
To encourage and promote health and related education in the community (e.g., HIV/AIDS counselling, drug and substance abuse counselling, chronic medical conditions and anti-violence).
To promote social contact in the organisation through organising social activities such as birthday celebrations, Mother’s Day, tours and entertainment, etc.
To promote nursing as a noble profession.

Founders

Masibambisane Retired Nurses Organisation was founded in 2001 in Clermont, KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa) by three retired nurses: Ms Gloria Shabalala, and the late Mrs Nomalizo Sixishe-Kunene and Mrs Dora Khanyile (may their souls rest in peace).

Ms Gloria Shabalala

Late Mrs Nomalizo
Sixishe-Kunene

Late Mrs Dora
Khanyile

They wanted to create this organisation for the following reasons:

To establish or create a social group where they could meet, keep contact and remember the days when they used to work together as nurses.
To share ideas and aspirations of their lives in the present time of retirement, hence the name MASIBAMBISANE, which means holding each other together.
To pay visits to each other in times when they are happy (during celebrations or parties), when they are worried (like illness) or when they are bereaved (death of a family member or the member herself).
To ensure that when death comes to one of them, they are buried with dignity with the presence of colleagues, who will recite the Nurses Pledge of Service wearing the Nurse’s Uniform.
To travel together as a group nationally and internationally at different times.
Giving educational talks to the group by those who have specialised in certain aspects of nursing such as mental health.
Celebration of special days such as Valentine’s Day, Women's Day, Mother's Day and Christmas as a group.
Offering community to help with the sick within the community and in the homes of the sick.

Committee Members

Masibambisane Retired Nurses Organisation is led by a committee of passionate and dedicated retired nurses. The role of the committee is:

To provide leadership, oversight, as well as direction to the group.
To organise meetings, book the venue, set the dates and ensure that meetings are run as planned.
To formulate a year plan for with the group, regarding different types of issues and events, these include visiting the chronically ill who are no more able to attend scheduled meetings, planning various activities such as in-service training which gets done by the members themselves and organising national and international visits.
To ensure that the finances of the group are paid regularly - there is a standing payment of R100 (one hundred Rand) per month per member - this money finances the group when there are important gatherings, such as end of the year celebrations, the Christmas party, Annual General Meeting and catering services needed. There is a fund paid to the family in the case of the member dying whilst still in the organisation.

Standing at back: Ms B. Mbhele, Mrs T. Mtshali, Ms G. Shabalala, Mrs P. Zungu & Mrs T. Kwela
Seated in front: Mrs N. Sixishe-Kunene, Mrs D. Mtshali, Mrs N. Madlala & Mrs D. Radebe

The committee is made up of the following members:

Mrs Thoko Kwela: Chairperson

Mrs Kwela was a Senior Staff Nurse/Enrolled Nurse who trained at Bethesda Hospital for three years and worked at King George V Hospital for 19 years. Thoko transferred to KwaDabeka Community Clinic where she served for 21 years.

Her overall nursing experience spans for 40 years. Thoko retired in October 2004.

Mrs Duduzile Radebe: Vice Chairperson

Mrs Radebe has a Diploma in Nursing and Midwifery as well as an Advanced Midwifery and Neonatal Nursing Science. She has a B.A. Cur & Honours from UNISA and a Post Graduate Certificate in Health Management & Social Welfare from Sheffield Hallam University (UK). Duduzile has worked at King Edward VIII Hospital and Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital where she became a Nursing Service Manager. She ended her nursing career as Deputy Director for Logistics at the eThekwini Health District. Her overall nursing experience spans for 43 years. Duduzile retired in December 2011.

Mrs Thobekile Mtshali: Secretary

Mrs Mtshali was a registered Nurse and Midwife and trained in supervisor's course. Thobekile retired as a Night Supervisor at Scottburgh Hospital. Her overall nursing experience spans for 30 years. Thobekile retired in December 2009.

Mrs Nonhlanhla Madlala: Vice Secretary

Mrs Madlala was a General Nurse and Midwife. Nonhlanhla has a Diploma in Orthopaedic Nursing Science, a Diploma in Nursing Management and a Diploma in Community Nursing Science. Her overall nursing experience spans for 32 years. Nonhlanhla retired in February 2010.

Ms Gloria Shabalala: Treasurer

Ms Shabalala was a Professional Nurse and Midwife and studied Oncology Nursing in England and Geriatric Nursing in Scotland. Gloria has a Diploma in Psychiatry Nursing, and worked in Oncology and HIV/AIDS Nursing for four years. She ended her career as Assistant Nurse Manager at King Edward VIII Hospital. Her overall nursing experience spans for 32 years. Gloria retired in July 1997.

Mrs Pam Zungu: Liaison Officer

Mrs Zungu has a B.A. Cur. Nursing and Majors in Community Health Nursing Science and Nursing Administration. Pam also has an Advanced Diploma in Nursing Education, and is a Stomaltherapy and Wound Care Specialist. In 2009, Pam was awarded a "Life Membership Certificate" by the South African Stomaltherapy Association", and she is a member of the World Council of Enterostomal Therapists (WCET). She worked at King Edward V111 Hospital and ended her career as a Nurse Manager at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital. Her overall nursing experience spans for 46 years. Pam retired in January 2015.

Ms Busi Mbhele: Co-opted Member

Ms Mbhele was an Enrolled Nurse who trained at St Aiden’s Hospital. Busi also worked at Clairwood Hospital and worked at KwaDabeka Community Health Centre. Her overall nursing experience spans for 33 years. Busi retired in November 2016.

Mrs Doreen Mtshali: Co-opted Member

Mrs Mtshali was an Enrolled Nurse who trained at Hlabisa and worked at Eshowe, Edendale and King Edward VIII hospitals. Doreen also worked at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital. Her overall nursing experience spans for 46 years. Doreen retired in June 2010.

Catering Committee

We are proud to introduce our Catering Committee, these ladies attend to the organisation's catering needs.

From left to right: P. Mzolo, R. Merasi, M. Phoswa, N. Madikizela, M. Maphanga and N. Dladla

E. Mdluli

N. Zwane

B. Zuma

S. Nxumalo

A. Maphanga

G. Mnguni