A Doctor for Zimbabwe

Nontokozo Halahala (alias Nontie)

It is a huge privilege as a Club to know that we have been instrumental in providing a desperately poor Country like Zimbabwe with a medical Doctor to have a lifetime of work in the community.

We first became aware of Nontie when Alan Woolley, a member of the Club was visiting the Rotary Club Bulawayo South. He was told about the potential Nontie had at school, but unfortunately her parents were finding it hard to cover the school fees.

We stepped in, anonymously at first, when she was 15 and preparing for GCSE’s to help with the fees   She excelled and progressed to her A Levels with the continued support of the Club. Her vision was to go to University and become a Doctor of Medicine.

Nontie’s dream came true after winning a scholarship from a major communications company in Zimbabwe, and with the continued support from the Club. We paid her university accommodation fees and purchased a laptop computer, medical books and an iPad. 

As part of her advanced medical studies Nontie was required to complete an elective placement at a General Hospital. Club members in the medical profession facilitated her placement through the Eastbourne Hospitals Trust. She spent four weeks at the Eastbourne DGH followed by two weeks at the Conquest Hospital in Hastings. 

She was provided with accommodation during the working week at the hospital campus and at weekends she was hosted by Club members. 

Her adventure to Eastbourne was in February when she saw snow and the sea for the first time. It was desperately cold, so we provided a complete winter attire to keep her warm.

Nontie finally graduated and qualified as a Medical Doctor in March 2018 and now works at the Bulawayo Hospital completing her internship for the next 2 years.

This success story is an example of a real project where Rotary Clubs in different parts of the world have combined to make a difference to a community in need. We are proud to have been a prime mover in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Bulawayo South and with grant aid from the District 1120 Rotary Foundation grant scheme.

Nontie has proved to be a total inspiration what can be achieved thousands of miles apart. We wish her every success in her medical career and look forward to updates on her future progress.

Polite Mabhena

After Nontie’s success, we explored with the Rotary Club of Bulawayo South whether we could together repeat the process. They identified three potential candidates who were applying to the Bulawayo NUST Medical School. 

Following interviews by a RCB Rotary committee a final candidate, Polite Mabhena, who had already been awarded a local scholarship to fund his University tuition fees was recommended and accepted by us for support by the Rotary Club of Eastbourne. We have agreed to fund his accommodation and meal expenses.

Polite has completed his first year and expects to graduate in 2022. He has been presented with an iPad District 1120 Rotary Foundation grant scheme.

by the Club to assist him with his studies.

We are again grateful to the District 1120 Rotary Foundation grant scheme for assisting this project.

 Polite Mabhena with Rotarian Sandy Whitehead, the prime mover from theb Rotary Club of Bulawayo South.