At just 23, Vuyo Delight Dlakude has become a name to watch in South Africa’s nursing and research community. A Community Service Professional Nurse at Edenvale Regional Hospital, Dlakude represents a new generation of healthcare professionals — bold, disciplined, and deeply committed to advancing patient care through evidence-based practice.

 

“I’ve always believed that good nursing goes beyond procedures,” he says with conviction. “It’s about empathy, precision, and a hunger to learn — because every patient teaches you something new.”

 

Born in Kamhlushwa, Mpumalanga, Dlakude grew up in a family that valued education above all else. “Both my parents were teachers,” he reflects. “Even after they passed away, their influence never left me. My family taught me resilience, respect, and the power of learning.”

 

He completed his schooling at Driekoppies Combined School, achieving excellent matric results that earned him a place at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) — South Africa’s only dedicated health sciences institution. There, he pursued a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing and Midwifery (Honours), graduating in 2025.

 

SMU, he says, became more than a university — it was the environment where his purpose crystallised. “Studying at SMU taught me that nursing isn’t just a job; it’s a calling. Every lecture, every clinical rotation shaped the nurse I am today.”

 

Now based in the theatre unit at Edenvale Hospital, Dlakude’s days are spent assisting surgeons and ensuring safe, compassionate care before, during, and after operations. “Theatre nursing requires focus and teamwork,” he explains. “You anticipate needs, monitor patients, and support recovery. There’s no room for error — just precision and humanity.”

 

But Vuyo’s curiosity extends beyond the operating room. During his final year at SMU, he discovered a passion for research, co-authoring a peer-reviewed article titled “Factors Influencing Late Antenatal Booking in Tshwane District: Pregnant Women’s Perceptions” (Afr J Prim Health Care Fam Med, 2025). The paper explored barriers to early maternal healthcare and proposed solutions rooted in better communication and community trust.

 

His research journey continued when he presented his poster “Improving Midwife-Pregnant Women Communication During Health Education to Enhance Antenatal Care Uptake” at the Sedibeng District Health Research Conference 2025, earning second place out of ten submissions.

 

“Research is my tool for change,” he asserts. “It’s how I turn questions into solutions — and how I can give voice to the people behind the data.”

 

Dlakude’s leadership and excellence have not gone unnoticed. Among his accolades are the Exceptional Student Nurse Award (2023 TEN Campaign) and Extraordinary Leader of the SMU Nursing Department (2023). He also served as a DENOSA Student Movement Sports Officer and CUTL Mentor, nurturing future student nurses.

 

Colleagues describe him as “disciplined with humour” — a balance he believes keeps him grounded. “Discipline drives performance, but compassion keeps it human,” he says. “That’s the heart of nursing.”

 

Looking ahead, Dlakude aims to specialise in nursing ethics and qualitative research. His ultimate goal? “To improve how nurses are trained, supported, and valued,” he says. “When we elevate nurses, we strengthen the entire healthcare system.”

 

In his own words, “My journey is only beginning. I’m not just working in healthcare — I’m helping to reimagine it.”

By Tumelo Moila