Matron Zwane is the founder of the Home-Based Care Program for the Good Shepherd Mission Hospital in Siteke, eSwatini (also known as Swaziland).
Matron Zwane grew up in eSwatini when the country was still named Swaziland. She was raised in a poor rural area, but nonetheless, her parents were determined that she receive a good education. From the time she was quite young, she dreamed of becoming a nurse. This dream was achieved when she was accepted to a nursing college in South Africa, graduating with an RN degree. Following graduation, Anna returned to eSwatini to provide care for the poorest citizens. She held several nursing and health positions around the country and eventually became the Matron and Director of Nursing at Good Shepherd Mission Hospital where she worked for over 20 years. While there, she also dedicated much of her vacation time to caring for the sick and was known to spend a portion of her salary on school fees for orphans.
In 2000, Matron Zwane retired from her leadership role at Good Shepherd. However, the following year an HIV/AIDS crisis swept through the country which compelled her to go back to work. She returned to the Hospital where she established the Home-Based Care Program to visit and treat indigent patients who could not leave their houses. The program has continued to expand in subsequent years, including organizing palliative care to provide compassionate end of life services. She works with CMMB volunteers Kathleen and Al Hartmann and utilizes Medical Donation Program (MDP) donations of medicine and medical supplies to treat those suffering in Siteke and surrounding areas. At 80 years old, Matron Zwane does not work every day but remains active visiting the sick, counseling the poor, and caring for orphans. Her prayer is that the Ministry of Health in eSwatini can eventually offer home-based care throughout the country. There are very few people who do not know and love Gogo (Granny) Zwane.
Thank you Matron Zwane!
