A Zimbabwean nurse who established a healthcare training institution in Namibia has graduated 677 students since opening its doors in 2017, with its latest graduation highlighting the growing reach of her work across three campuses.
Dr Rutendo Zvidza, founder and director of PMT Health Care Institution, marked another milestone last month when 130 students graduated at the institution’s fourth graduation ceremony in Windhoek.
The graduates included the first cohort from its Ongwediva campus and the institution’s first group of occupational health and safety trainees.
PMT, which operates campuses in Windhoek, Rundu and Ongwediva, offers training in nursing, midwifery and occupational health and safety, reflecting Zvidza’s ambition to expand access to professional and technical skills training in Namibia yet her professional journey began with nursing training in Zimbabwe.
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Speaking to CITE following the graduation ceremony, Zvidza, originally from Nkulumane in Bulawayo, spoke on the importance of ethical and compassionate service, particularly in healthcare, where technical competence must be accompanied by respect for human dignity.
“We had themed our graduation as “Where Ethics Meet Compassion: Advancing Quality Nursing with Humanity” in order to challenge graduates to recognise that their qualifications carry responsibilities beyond securing employment,” she said.
The director of the nurses training institution said the 130 graduates included students who completed the Diploma in Enrolled Nursing and Midwifery Science, at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 6, the National Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety, Level 5, Management Strands.
“This graduation was significant as it marked the first cohort from PMT’s Ongwediva campus and the institution’s first graduating class in Occupational Health and Safety,” Zvidza said.
“The ceremony followed an oath-taking event for pupil enrolled nurses and occupational health and safety trainees, bringing together graduates, families, healthcare professionals, public-sector representatives and education stakeholders.”
Zvidza’s work comes at a time when practical, career-oriented training is increasingly important in preparing young people for employment and addressing skills needs across different sectors.
The nursing and midwifery programme prepares students for patient-centred care and maternal health responsibilities, with an emphasis on clinical competence, patient safety, ethical conduct and compassion.
The occupational health and safety qualification, meanwhile, equips trainees with skills to identify workplace hazards, support risk assessments and promote safer working environments.
These skills are relevant across sectors such as mining, construction, manufacturing, healthcare and public services, where workplace safety is essential to protecting workers and improving productivity.
Zvidza also acknowledged the Namibia Training Authority (NTA) for funding the occupational health and safety trainees, as well as regulatory and training partners supporting skills development.
“Our graduation event was attended by Control Nurse Practitioner Klaudia Kambonde, Matron at Windhoek Central Hospital, who was Guest of Honour. Deputy Commissioner Martha Ilonga of the Directorate: Healthcare represented the Commissioner-General of the Namibian Correctional Service, Raphael T. Hamunyela,” she said.
“Representatives from the NTA and Namibia Qualifications Authority (NQA), alongside healthcare professionals and other stakeholders, also attended.”
Looking at the scope of the training, Zvidza said she sought to position PMT as an institution with a broader social responsibility.
“Our community initiatives include supporting the boy child, promoting mental health awareness in schools, engaging teachers and providing free health screening activities in recognition of educators’ contribution to society,” she said.
“PMT also has fully funded 21 scholarships for students in need, an initiative that reflects our commitment to widening access to education for those who may struggle to meet training costs.”
Zvidza said their graduation ceremony also paid tribute to the parents and guardians whose sacrifices helped students complete their studies.
“We also recognised the values of hard work, discipline, perseverance and family support.These values never go out of fashion. These are values that I too received at home in Nkulumane, Bulawayo,” she said.
Zvidza’s journey from nursing training at United Bulawayo Hospitals in Zimbabwe to establishing a training institution in Namibia illustrates how professional experience can be channelled into education and institutional development.
Zvidza holds a Diploma in General Nursing from United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH), a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (International) from Liverpool John Moores University in the United Kingdom, and an honorary Doctor of Philosophy in Humanities awarded by United Graduate College and Seminary International in the United States.
She also obtained a certificate in international diplomacy in the United Kingdom in 2025.
“Looking ahead, PMT plans to expand its training portfolio by introducing additional technical and vocational education and training (TVET) qualifications in 2027, subject to the necessary approvals and accreditation processes,” she said, adding the institution is registered with the Health Professions Council of Namibia and the Namibia Training Authority, and accredited by the Namibia Qualifications Authority for its approved programmes.
Zvidza said these expansion plans signal her ambition to grow PMT beyond its current offerings while responding to skills demands in Namibia.
“Our fourth graduation was not only a celebration of academic achievement but also an indication of the reach of a Zimbabwean professional’s investment in training and education beyond my home country,” she said.
“As we prepare PMT for its next phase of growth, our challenge will be to sustain the quality of training, strengthen partnerships and make sure our graduates are equipped to make a meaningful contribution to the communities they serve.”
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