Khayelitsha Site B Superwoman with a smile | Western Cape Government

News

News

Khayelitsha Site B Superwoman with a smile

31 August 2018

Everybody that visits Site B Community Health Centre is familiar with Phyllis Zondani. She is loved by everyone young and old. She has a positive effect on people and knows how to put a smile on everyone’s face.

Phyllis started working at Site B MOU in May 2011 as a Breastfeeding Peer Counsellor, under the NGO named Philani Nutrition Centre. She provided counselling and education to new mothers from around Khayelitsha and Mfuleni. She shared valuable information about the importance of exclusive breastfeeding and breastfeeding management.

She is extremely passionate about her work that she even wakes up in the early hours on Christmas and New Year’s eve, just so she can be there to welcome the first babies with presents. Phyllis is a very innovative and always shows initiative in her duties.

She is currently a Health Promoter at Outpatients Department in Site B CHC, where she specialises in educating women about the importance of cervical screening. She also provides knowledge regarding the importance of long term protection and dual protection.

She created a Facebook page called “Breast Milk is the Best” to reach out and support mothers who are breastfeeding, which has been running for the past four years.

She is a drawcard at Site B CHC for women who need services relating to Woman’s Health. They come to ‘Room 1’ for pap smears, Implanon and IUD.

She since started another group on Facebook which she called “Kwa Room 1”, where issues regarding pap smears, Implanon and IUD are discussed amongst the women.  Because of this initiative, women from surrounding areas such as Gugulethu and Langa come to Site B CHC for her services.

Because of her services and dedication, she was awarded employee of the month for September 2017 and employee of the year for the same year.

She says her secret is to always fit in and break the barrier between healthworker and patient. She is good at adjusting herself and become a teenager when dealing with a teenager. She can even speak in township lingo in order to create more understanding and make her clients feel comfortable with her.

Phyllis says that in order to draw interest and be appealing to people, one needs to always be presentable and confident.  “Also have a sense of humour”, she says.   

Media Enquiries: 

Sithembiso Magubane
Principal Communications Officer: Khayelitsha & Eastern Substructure
Western Cape Government: Health
Tel: 021 360 4702
E-mail: sithembiso.magubane@westerncape.gov.za
Website: www.westerncape.gov.za