08-08-2025
Hospital driver shines at Fezi Ngubentombi Recognition Awards
VANDERBIJLPARK – He's not a doctor or a nurse. But when duty calls, he's the first to hit the road.
A dedicated hospital driver from Fezi Ngubentombi Hospital in Sasolburg has become the talk of the town after scooping the Employee of the Year award at a glittering Performance Recognition Awards Gala held at the luxurious Riverside Sun Hotel on July 25.
In a room filled with top medical professionals, administrators, and local dignitaries, all eyes turned to the unsung hero of the night.
Happy 'Bricks' Kumalo, a man whose job is usually done behind the wheel, but whose efforts finally took centre stage.
Clad in a sharp leader jacket, Zulu headband, and a smile as wide as the Vaal River, the humble hospital driver took to the stage to receive several awards, including the prestigious honour amid loud applause and standing ovations.
The 46-year-old driver shared how his journey to be a driver came about after joining the hospital as an electrician.
'A friend of mine who worked at the hospital as a pathologist told me about a vacancy at the hospital. I applied and got the job. However, a year later, the hospital was short of a driver, for which I volunteered, and the rest is history,' he said.
Punctuality has led Kumalo to be trusted with delivering every package and everyone at the institution.
'My role is to transport nurses when they need to attend to any errand. I also deliver mail, not forgetting taking corpses to different facilities in the province,' he added.
Reacting to his big win, Kumalo said he never expected to score big. 'I'm just a mere driver; I didn't expect to be given such recognition. Every day, I just do my job with determination. Even in the wee hours, I take on any task and render my services. I'm overjoyed to have won so many awards,' he said.
Acting as a true gentleman with respect and love for those he lives and works with, Kumalo didn't miss the opportunity to thank his life partner, among many others.
'I'm grateful to my partner for trusting me when I leave the house at any time to deliver what I am sent to. And to my superiors, I want to thank them for allowing me to work and be able to put food on the table,' he said.
