It is with abject sorrow that we, the councilors of the College of Paediatricians and more broadly the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa, have been informed that our colleague and friend Dr Zama Mkhize (DCH 2016, FCPaed 2021) was tragically killed on Friday 22 March 2024.
She is sadly another in a series of dedicated health care workers who have fallen victim to the escalating levels of violence in our country.
Zama dedicated most of her working life to the people of Pietermaritzburg, including her internship, medical officer time and most recently as a consultant paediatrician at Harry Gwala (previously Edendale) Hospital.
She was described by her friends and colleagues as the most gentle, kind and soft-spoken person who never had a bad word to say about anyone. She is remembered for her engaging smile, infectious laugh and the positive impact she had on all around her. She was a wonderful teacher, mentoring junior staff members and always willing to go the extra mile to help a friend in need. She was that rare entity – a truly good person.
She left the hospital on Friday afternoon to attend to her own sick child and never returned home.
Our hearts are heavy as we commiserate with her family, friends, and colleagues.
She leaves behind her husband and two young children whose lives have forever been disrupted by these awful events. Her death creates a hole in so many lives that will never be sufficiently filled.
