Tebogo Tladi
 
Sister Zandile Bantom's career progression from a volunteer at a local clinic to leading qualified nurse is an inspiring story of true selflessness and determination.
"My two-decades-plus journey of compassion dates back to 1997, where after my  marriage, I ended having to care for a neglected pensioner where I was renting to be closer to my husband because I was  uneasy about moving in with her in-laws as a newlywed at the time,'' she shares.
''Not only was the old lady bedridden and unable to fend for herself but she was subjected to all kinds of abuse from her stepchildren who visited from time to time.  And being exposed to her predicament, I took upon myself to looking after her; feeding, clothing and washing her etc.  And that is where my passion for what I do today initially," recalls Bantom.
Bantom credits her persistence for carrying her through the mammoth task of continuing to take care of her even after she fell pregnant with her first child.  At a later stage in her pregnancy, she also needed to focus on her maternal care leaving her with no choice but to leave the old lady to alternate care after almost a year together. 
In pursuit of her budding interest, she decided to upgrade her matric results in 2000 then enrolled for a one-year National Diploma in Caring for the Aged with then Lekoa Technical College simultaneously working at a home that cared for the aged, children and the handicapped.
In 2004 she found herself at Thlokomeleng Clinic, in the community of Evaton Small Farms, where she volunteered as a DOT (Direct Observe Treatment) supporter going door-to-door making sure that TB patients take their daily prescription.
Bantom continues to state that she was fortunate enough to be selected to complete a comprehensive course after six months of volunteering, which was usually reserved for more experienced DOT supporters, where she further developed her skills in caring for TB and HIV/AIDS patients and counselling amongst a variety of other skills. 
In her extensive experience in public health she donned many hats across multiple facilities in the province - from caregiver to counsellor and home-based care worker.  But she admits that her enthusiasm to grow led her to exploit the many learning opportunities that were at her disposal then. 
''A monumental moment was in 2009 when I applied for a two-year course to become an enrolled nurse.  It was a nerve-wrecking experience as I the last one to be inducted out of my homebased care team.  And I literally screamed when I finally receive my admission call,'' laughs Sister Bantom. 
In 2016 she was finally a registered nurse and continued doing what she enjoys the most - working closely with the community.
Today, the qualified professional nurse at Mpumelelo Clinic, one of the Evaton's busiest healthcare centres, where she heads two main programmes - Expanded Programme for Immunisation (EPI) and Intergraded Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) which loosely translated entails the immunisation of disease amongst the vulnerable.
''I've been here for the past three years and truly blessed to be doing what I consider my calling in life.  I'm truly grateful to God to have do what I'm a passionate about,'' she concludes with a smile.