Online Reporter
Remember Deketeke
Herald Correspondent
AFTER nearly half a century of bringing new life into the world, veteran midwife Mrs Nyaradzo Mukau (65) has hung up her uniform, concluding a remarkable 44-year career marked by dedication, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to safe motherhood.
Mrs Mukau delivered over 1,000 babies throughout her illustrious career. This week, she was honoured by Impala Car Rental as part of a group of 12 long-serving public health workers retiring from Sally Mugabe Central Hospital.
Her professional journey began in 1981 when she enrolled for nursing training at Mutare General Hospital. After completing her studies, she worked at Rusape General Hospital and Masvingo General Hospital, among other health centres across the country.
She later trained as a midwife at Chitungwiza Central Hospital and joined Harare Central Hospital (now Sally Mugabe Central Hospital) in 1988, where she would spend the next 37 years.
On busy night shifts, Mrs Mukau typically handled between 30 and 35 deliveries, contributing to a total of over a thousand babies she helped bring into the world.
“When I arrived at Harare Central Hospital, I worked in the maternity department and had the privilege of serving in nearly every ward,” she recounted. “In the labour ward, where I spent most of my career, we ensured safe deliveries. On routine nights, we could deliver at least 20 babies, often rising to 35 on particularly busy nights.”
Throughout her career, Mrs Mukau earned a reputation for her calm leadership in maternity wards and her ability to guide anxious mothers through complex deliveries. It was at Sally Mugabe Hospital that she made her most enduring impact. Known for her speed, precision, and reassuring bedside manner in a high-pressure environment, she said, “My 37-year journey was tough.
The labour ward at Harare Hospital is one of the most challenging in the country, serving as a referral institution for mothers needing specialist treatment.”
She acknowledged the emotional toll of the profession, as midwives bear the responsibility of safeguarding both the mother and the unborn child. “I served with passion. There is no greater reward than seeing a healthy baby placed in its mother’s arms,” she reflected.
Her philosophy was anchored in the core duty of care: “No nurse wants to lose a life. We enter this profession to save and protect, and that commitment remains.”
For many at the hospital, her retirement marks a loss not only of experience but also of a steadying presence that younger nurses relied on for guidance.
Mr Claudius Rwodzi, the hospital’s human resources manager, described her departure as a significant loss of institutional memory, stating, “We are sad to lose such valuable experience. Her contribution spans over 40 years.”
Impala Car Rental’s marketing manager, Ms Judith Mupinga, remarked that the retirees embody the spirit of public service.
“It has become our policy to honour retirees. They have served society with distinction, and we are proud to celebrate their achievements, including Mrs Mukau’s remarkable service,” she said.
As a token of gratitude, the retirees received practical gifts, including solar panels, an ox-drawn plough, and food hampers—meant to support their new lives beyond the hospital.
The maternity unit at Sally Mugabe Hospital is one of the busiest in the country, where seasoned professionals like Mrs Mukau have long provided mentorship and stability amid high patient volumes.
However, retirement will not slow her down.
Mrs Mukau plans to remain in the city and start poultry and gardening projects, allowing her to continue nurturing in her new ventures.
“I still want to take care of things, to help them grow,” she laughed, her voice echoing the warmth many mothers remember from their moments of labour.
For the families she assisted, Mrs Mukau leaves behind generations of children whose first breaths entered the world under her care.
For her colleagues, she leaves a legacy of professionalism, endurance, and quiet service in a demanding sector.
Receiving recognition from Impala Car Rental was unexpected yet deeply appreciated.
“It is humbling to know that people noticed,” she said.
“I simply did my job.” For the company, this gesture forms part of a tradition of acknowledging exemplary service in a health sector that often bears heavy burdens without much recognition.
