Times Of Swaziland: I had to abandon nursing because of conflict of interest - Thandiwe

I had to abandon nursing because of conflict of interest - Thandiwe
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 LUNGA MASUKU on 28/05/2011 00:00:00


STORIES BY LUNGA MASUKU
MBABANE – Swaziland’s
first Director for
Baphalali Swaziland Red Cross Society Thandiwe Dlamini (71) had to abandon the
nursing profession after it was discovered that she was married to a medical
doctor.
This was because it was not allowed, as there would be a conflict of interest.
Speaking to the Swazi News on Wednesday, Dla-mini said she trained as a nurse
and when she got married to Dr. Zibuse Dlamini, she found herself forced to
change her career because her husband was in the same ministry.
Dlamini said she did her primary education at Ermelo Primary School before
proceeding to Nkamane High School in 1957 to 1958.
Dlamini then enrolled at Coronation Hospital and was attached to Baragwaneth
Hospital, from 1962 to 1964.
Her husband was a doctor at Hlathikulu Government Hospital at the time.
"Trouble started in 1965 when I was posted to Hlatikhulu Government Hospital.
I was there between 1965 and 1968 where I briefly worked as a nurse. I later
applied for a Postgraduate Diploma in Theatre Techniques where my boyfriend, who
later became my husband, was studying. In 1966, we got married while he was
studying Medicine at the Hadassah University Hospital in Jerusalem, Israel.
After it was discovered that we were working in the same hospital, I was then
told by the authorities to leave and it was at that stage that I changed my
career," she said.
From1969 to1970, Dlamini then enrolled for a course in Shorthand at the
Swaziland Institute of Management and Public Adminstration (SIMPA).
"I was then hired as typist and secretary by the Ministry of Home Affairs based
at the Hlathikulu Home Affairs offices. My husband, who was a doctor, was
earning E270 per month. I was earning E47 salary and we were regarded as the
highly paid family.
In 1973, my husband was promoted to Director of Health Services and he moved to
Mbabane.
After that, I was then attached to a Danish Consulting Firm that was tasked with
designing the Matsamo –Motshane Road.
At my new job, I earned E120 per month. My attachment with the consultancy
lasted for a few months and I was then recruited by Baphalali Red Cross," said
Dlamini.
SD Red Cross can face any disaster – former director
MBABANE – Thandiwe Dlamini believes that the country’s Red Cross Society is
a body that has reached maturity such that it can compete with other bodies from
the region.
Dlamini said the local society can face any situation or disaster because the
staff’s skills have been harnessed by the events that have taken place in the
country.
In 1984 during the Cyclone Domonia that swept through the country, Dlamini said
she found herself working non-stop for two weeks.
After the heavy floods, Dlamini said she slept for over a period of two nights
without waking up.
"The Red Cross was tested to the limit. We surprised ourselves with the way we
handled that disaster and I was even shocked with the determination that was
shown by our team. When I eventually woke up, I was told it was a Sunday
afternoon and I thanked God that I came back to life. I found that our friends
had already started panicking but they were comforted when they discovered that
I was still alive. I am grateful that the Swaziland government entrusted us with
such a huge task and we were also made to receive the donations on behalf of the
government. Our work during the 1984 distaster will remain perched in our minds
for many years to come," said Dlamini.
In the early 90’s, the society embarked on projects of building Voluntary
Counselling and Testing (VCT).
Dlamini said this was because of the spread of HIV/AIDS which was discovered in
the mid-80.
"The Red Cross was to be prepared to fight the epidemic that was threatening to
wipe out the Swazi nation."
Before retiring in 1986, Dlamini said she asked the Nowergian Red Cross to
assist with buying a block of flats.
"As a gift to me, the Nowergian Red Cross decided to buy a block of flats known
as Carlton Court and in 1986, I retired as director of the society. I had asked
the Norwegians to buy the flats so that I can present the flats to the society
as a thank you for supporting and nurturing me. I had hoped I was done with the
Red Cross but I found myself back with the Red Cross. When I arrived in Harare
the International Federation of the Red Cross offered me a job as director for
the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and I was in charge of 10
countries. My husband was Director for the World Health Organisation (WHO) and
he was based in Harare. I was in charge of the society for two years, from 1988.
At the begining of 1991, the local Red Cross was going through a rough patch and
I found myself returning as director," added Dlamini.