Coinciding with the celebration of International Nurses Day this week — on May 12 — Bulelwa Mokori interviewed retired matron Ellen Vina Moyo
Nursing veteran Ellen Vino Moyo said her salvation and knowledge of God empowered her to rise to become the first black matron of Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
Moyo, who celebrated her 95th birthday recently, said: “Nursing is a calling. When you love what you do and act with wisdom, you stand out. I was honoured to serve in that capacity.”
She served in the healthcare sector for five decades. Thirty five of those years were spent in Mpilo Hospital, saving lives, delivering new ones and witnessing both the triumphs and tragedies inherent in medical care.
“I worked in every ward and department, striving to give my best. I believe my passion and dedication impressed many, including my colleagues,” she said.
She recalled poignant moments, such as caring for terminally ill patients. “I visited a young man with cancer of the knee and I told him that God’s forgiveness was essential. The next morning, he passed away. Nursing is about caring for both the body and the spirit,” she reflected.
“Training nurses to be competent and compassionate was my goal. Seeing my trainees excel abroad brought me immense joy,” she said. Some of her mentees have gone on to earn international recognition, honouring her contribution to their careers.
Working in a predominantly white environment during apartheid-era Zimbabwe, Moyo faced scrutiny but remained resilient.
Hundreds of people, including dignitaries, community members, nursing community representatives and church members including Rev Rosewell Zulu overseer and president of the Apostolic Faith Mission of Africa where she is a longstanding member and has served as a Sunday school and Bible study teacher. During the celebration, the Bulawayo City Council presented her with an award in recognition of her contribution to nursing and the city. Linda Moyo chairperson of the Bulawayo Retired Nurses Fellowship said: ““Ellen Moyo is a true icon. Even now, she remains independent and active, inspiring us all. Her life exemplifies the profound impact of dedication, faith and service. Her story continues to inspire countless healthcare professionals and reminds them of the vital role nurses play in society’s wellbeing.”
Moyo was born in 1931 in the Ntabazinduna Tribal Trust Lands to to Makhulumo Mpofu and Esther Donsa. She attended Libeni Primary School for Sub A and B before progressing to Ngwenya Mission School, now known as John Tallach High School, where she completed her primary education.
Due to the absence of secondary schools during her youth, she was sent to South Africa to pursue further studies. “My ambitious mother sent me to a college near Pretoria, where I completed my Junior Certificate and later enrolled in nursing,” she explained. She said she was inspired by a village girl who had helped deliver babies during holidays, instilling in her a desire to serve as a nurse.
“I refused my father’s wish for me to become a dressmaker and instead pursued my dream,” Moyo said.
She trained at Frere Hospital in East London from 1952 to 1955, earning her general nursing qualification. Upon returning to Zimbabwe, she began her career at Bulawayo Memorial Hospital, which later became Mpilo.
“This was before Mpilo was officially opened; it was under construction and I was among the first black nurses to work there,” she recounted.
In 1958, when Mpilo Central Hospital was inaugurated, she was transferred there, as were two other South African-trained nurses. Moyo’s career coincided with the hospital’s development into a training centre, making her a pioneer in African nursing education. “This was the beginning of formal training for African nurses in Zimbabwe,” she said.
After retiring at 60, Moyo continued to serve at Ekuphumuleni Geriatric Home and Edith Duly Nursing Home for another 11 years, driven by her love for nursing and compassion for the elderly. “Watching them pass peacefully was a privilege. I always believed in offering hope and comfort,” she said.
Moyo is an only child who lost her husband in 1976. She has two children — her son, who died at 36, and her daughter, who cares for her now — and three grandchildren. Her family home in Barbourfields remains her sanctuary, though she resides with her daughter due to health reasons.
“I feel blessed to have poured my heart into my work and to have witnessed the positive impact of caring for others,” she said.
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