Nobambo Sylvia Thusi (née Mtshatsha) was born on 29 January 1939 at
Emfundisweni , Transkei/ Eastern Cape. She was the second born child of the late
Wilson Ngqeleni Mtshatsha and Ivy Mtshatsha. She started her schooling at
Emfundisweni Primary school and matriculated at Shawbury Senior Secondary
School. She studied for a Community Health nursing diploma at Cecilia
Makiwane hospital in East London.
She married Solomon Japhta Thusi on 13 May 1961. They were blessed with five
children: Masango, Nomthandazo, Nokuthula, Busisiwe and Bongani.
As a pioneer whilst in Transkei, she founded the first large Industrial health
clinic at Pep Homeland Industry at Butterworth. She started working as a
community health nurse in 1980, at Heilbron - Orangeville District in the
Northern Orange Free State and was the first District nurse with the Mobile
Clinic for farm labourers. She is also the founder of Santa Care Group in
Heilbron , Phiritona Township.
In 1985 she was transferred to Pretoria (Gauteng province) where she worked
as a school health nurse. In 1986 she was promoted to chief professional nurse
in Primary Health care. In 1993 she was promoted to Nursing service manager,
the position she held until her retirement in December 1999.
She was involved in several Women’s organisations such as Y.W.C.A. She was the
Biennial Genera l Secretary of the Methodist church Women’s Manyano
convention in 1984 - 1986. She was also the President of the Northern
Transvaal & Botswana district (now called Limpopo Synod) in 1989 - 1990 .
She was the South African delegate of the three Women’s Organisations to the
World Federation of Methodist Women in Nairobi in 1986 and was chosen to be
in the World Committee and Family Life. She was the first combined South
African Unit Correspondent Secretary of the W.F.M.W. In 1992 she was
appointed as the General President of Women’s Manyano in the Methodist
church of Southern Africa (Connexional).
Nobambo Sylvia Thusi is survived by her husband Solomon, three daughters and
seven grandchildren.
