Harare – After four decades in public health, veteran midwife Nyaradzo Mukau (65) has retired from Sally Mugabe Central Hospital, leaving a legacy of more than 1,000 babies safely delivered. This week she was among 12 long‑serving health workers recognised by Impala Car Rental for their dedication.
Mukau began her nursing career in 1981 at Mutare General Hospital, later serving at Rusape and Masvingo General Hospitals before specialising as a midwife at Chitungwiza Central Hospital. She joined Harare Central Hospital (now Sally Mugabe Central) in 1988 and spent 37 years in the labour ward—one of Zimbabwe’s busiest referral centres. On a typical night she managed 20 births; during peak periods the number rose to 35.
“In the labour ward, every delivery demanded focus and compassion,” she recalled. “Working there for 37 years was never easy, but it was a privilege to serve mothers referred for specialist care.”
Human resources manager Claudius Rwodzi said the hospital is “sad to lose such valuable experience.” Impala Car Rental’s marketing manager Judith Mupinga added that the retirees “embody the spirit of public service.” As part of the ceremony, Mukau and her fellow retirees received solar panels, an ox‑drawn plough and food hampers to support their new lives.
Mukau’s retirement closes a remarkable chapter in Zimbabwe’s health sector. She is remembered not only for the thousands of lives she brought into the world, but for the calm leadership and compassion she shared with generations of nurses. Her legacy, she says, “is simply doing my job.”