Retreat’s very own Florence Nightingale
When you are at your most vulnerable, hurt or sick, and depend on professional help to get you through, it helps to have an award-winning nurse by your bedside.
That’s exactly what Retreat Community Health Centre (CHC) nurse Caroline Jafta provides for patients at the Retreat Community Health Centre when she is on duty. She was recently awarded for exactly that – her stellar work in her department. She was also nominated for the prestigious Cecelua Makiwane nursing award last year.
Sister Jafta, who has been in the profession for over 30 years, received the bronze service excellence award in the Western Cape government's frontline service delivery employee category.
In a statement from the award programme it stated that Caroline Jafta “is an invaluable asset in the trauma unit and prioritised patient care based on severity and managed resources efficiently”.
“She advocates for vaccination and supports families in need, particularly those facing poverty, hunger, and mental health challenges. Caroline's dedication extends to managing sick children under 5 and providing transport assistance to ensure follow-up appointments.”
It further stated that her commitment reflects the Western Cape Government's core values, ensuring high-quality service delivery and upholding Batho Pele (“People First”) ideals.
Sister Jafta almost gave up on her passion and goal of becoming a nurse when her mother died during the examination period of her first year at Nico Malan Nursing School in 1992.
“I was beside myself and wanted to give up nursing but thanks to a supportive system I was encouraged to continue studying.”
She had to repeat the year while working and learning at Groote Schuur Hospital and worked hard to graduate in 1996 and started nursing at Retreat CHC in 1997. Three decades later she still proudly serves the broader Retreat community.
Asked where her passion for the profession stemmed from, Sister Jafta said two of her aunts were nurses and both left an impression of the profession on her.
“They had the passion, were dressed neatly, and they cared for my mom when she was sick. I had so much admiration for them and I told myself that it was something I also wanted to do, so I gave it a try and that’s where my passion for the profession came from.”
At the moment Sister Jafta works at the facility’s trauma unit but she is also a qualified paediatric practitioner and finds joy in working with the little ones under 5.
“I love being able to help babies, to interact with parents, and especially to help first-time mommies. We do our best at Retreat CHC to provide support in whatever capacity we can and I believe in empathy because many people need support and not judgement.”
She added that her main objective in her profession is to serve holistically, teach, support, and to be caring towards every patient.