For Zwothe Muthabeni, a proud graduate of Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU), nursing is not merely a career—it is a profound calling shaped by compassion, discipline, and a relentless dedication to the well-being of others. Her journey, which began in the lecture halls and clinical rotations of SMU, has grown into a remarkable testament to global-minded healthcare, professional excellence, and service-driven leadership.
Now serving as a Theatre Professional Nurse at Sebokeng Hospital since completing her community service in 2023, Muthabeni represents a new generation of South African nurses who are not only clinically skilled but also globally conscious and deeply human-centred in their approach to care.
Muthabeni completed her Bachelor of Nursing degree in 2023, but her connection to SMU remains both profound and personal. “My academic and professional journey started at SMU, and it is here that I discovered not only what it means to be a nurse, but also who I am meant to be in this world,” she reflects.
During her time at SMU, she was immersed in rigorous academic training and enriching clinical placements that laid the foundation for her nursing career. The structured curriculum, coupled with the supportive guidance of committed lecturers, instilled in her the values of excellence and accountability. These values—central to SMU’s ethos—continue to guide her work as she progresses in her studies and international engagements.
Now pursuing a master’s degree in nursing through North-West University, Muthabeni recently returned from an international internship in Hasselt, Belgium—an important milestone in her professional development. “This experience was both exciting and deeply transformative. I worked in surgical and community health settings, engaging with patients from diverse cultural backgrounds, adapting to different healthcare protocols, and collaborating with international professionals,” she says.
Despite being thousands of kilometres from home, Muthabeni felt anchored by the integrity and respect she had cultivated during her training at SMU. “Every time I faced a challenge abroad, I found myself returning to what I learned at SMU—clinical knowledge, critical thinking, and ethical conduct. It gave me the confidence to navigate a foreign healthcare system and still offer quality, compassionate care.”
The internship not only sharpened her clinical skills but also broadened her perspective. She speaks passionately about the importance of cross-cultural communication, humility, and adaptability—qualities she believes every 21st-century healthcare professional should embrace.
“Being abroad reminded me that compassion is a universal language. Whether in Pretoria or Hasselt, what matters most to patients is that they are seen, heard, and treated with dignity. That is what nursing is about,” she says.
Her time in Belgium reaffirmed her commitment to lifelong learning and professional excellence. Exposure to international healthcare systems, interdisciplinary collaboration, and research-driven practice opened her eyes to new possibilities—ones she hopes to bring home to contribute meaningfully to South Africa’s health sector.
“I’m passionate about improving healthcare access and patient outcomes, particularly in underserved communities. My journey is far from over, but every step I take is grounded in the principles I learned at SMU,” she says.
Muthabeni’s story is a living embodiment of the university’s mission to produce graduates who are responsive to societal needs and compassionate in-service delivery. Her journey also reflects SMU’s vision of becoming a leading African university in health sciences, recognised for excellence and social relevance.
To aspiring nurses and current SMU students, Muthabeni offers heartfelt encouragement: “Trust in your training. The environment at SMU is built to shape well-rounded, ethical, and knowledgeable professionals. Say yes to opportunities that stretch you and know that your voice and your skills are needed—not just in South Africa, but around the world.”
Her message is clear: education is a passport to possibility, and when grounded in strong values and a sense of purpose, there is no limit to what SMU graduates can achieve.
Muthabeni carries the SMU flag high, across borders and into a future filled with promise. Her story is not just her own, but one that reflects the enduring spirit of the university and its commitment to shaping change-makers in health sciences.
By Dimakatso Modise
