Colleagues and friends at the Louis Trichardt Memorial Hospital bade farewell to one of their own during the celebratory party of a hardworking nurse, Mrs Maguga Bongekile Maguga, who had just retired.

The event was held at the hospital premises in Louis Trichardt last Wednesday. Maguga (65) retired after serving for 42 years in the profession.

Her career begun in 1969 when she first trained as a student nurse at the Mosvold Mission Hospital in Swaziland. Maguga then joined Elim Hospital in 1971, where she worked as a staff nurse. She also worked at Tshilidzini Hospital in 1979 as a midwife, before she was promoted to professional nurse.

She had joined the Louis Trichardt Memorial Hospital in 1997. She worked at the hospital till her retirement. At the time of her retirement, she worked as an assistant nursing manager at the hospital.

The hospital's acting CEO, Mrs Connie Raulinga, depicted her as a hardworking nurse who will always be missed. She said that Maguga was highly conscious of infection control. "She was very motivational, particularly to the nurses, and she always encouraged them to be clean and honest at all times," said Raulinga, adding that Maguga would always be remembered for her good work at the hospital.

She added that, due to Maguga's social skills, they even managed to establish a choir at the hospital. In response, Maguga said that she was happy at home although she always missed the hospital. "I enjoyed myself and was always willing to be part of the hospital," she said.