August is all about celebrating the power, passion and perseverance of remarkable women and here at Western Cape Blood Service (WCBS), we’re surrounded by some truly remarkable ones. This Women’s Month, we’re taking a moment to shine a spotlight on the magic that happens beyond the office walls, so get ready to be inspired as we celebrate a few of our extraordinary employees and the incredible things they do after hours.
We’ve all heard the saying, blood is thicker than water, and Nawaal Gamieldien, Emergency Blood Bank Coordinator, proved just how true that is when her brother Nizaar, who has leukaemia, needed a bone marrow transplant. When tests confirmed she was a match, Nawaal didn’t hesitate. She felt honoured to be able to provide the life-saving stem cells needed for the transplant. Before the donation, she underwent a series of tests to ensure she was healthy enough to proceed and had to stay healthy leading up to the donation date. The stem cell donation, which takes between six and eight hours, is generally considered safe. However, Nawaal did experience some complications afterwards. Even so, the challenges were worth it when, after an anxious wait, the transfusion was declared a success, thanks to a sister’s selfless act of love.
When it comes to selfless acts, Ghadija Petersen, team supervisor at the Capegate blood donation centre, leads by example. She is the co-founder of Reach – Lending a helping hand, an NGO she helped establish in 2014. The organisation is dedicated to supporting underprivileged children by providing extra reading lessons and access to books. They aim to place books into the hands of children who may otherwise not have access to them. It’s a remarkable initiative, and one that Ghadija and her team can be very proud of.
Feeling proud of oneself is something that many of the WCBS women have good reason to feel. Juanita Lewis, our payroll manager, is one such lady. She completed her first Comrades Marathon this year, an incredible achievement requiring dedication and passion. Juanita has been running for many years, but in the last three to four years, she started taking it more seriously and decided to find out what Comrades is all about. “It’s brutal and tests you not only physically but mentally and emotionally as well. Even though there are times during the race when you want to give up, you push forward,” she shared. Juanita will be back at Comrades in 2026 to once again challenge herself and pursue a new goal.
Many of us have personal goals we hope to tick off our bucket lists, and for Nicky Carolissen, who is our IT Service Desk Administrator, learning to swim has been one of them. She has taken the plunge, literally, and after just six lessons, she’s making impressive progress. Her coach is thrilled with how quickly she is picking it up, and Nicky is loving her newfound passion. She is especially excited to put her new skills to the test during her dream holiday to Bali later this year.
Head of blood banks, Meridah Mwase exemplifies a woman committed to both personal and professional growth. She recently embarked on her MBA journey and has already completed eight modules and is loving it. “I honestly do not know how I have been doing this work without the knowledge I am gaining now,” she shares. “This MBA is opening my eyes in ways I never expected. It feels like I have finally been given the map to the path I have always walked.” We celebrate Meridah’s drive, her growth, and the meaningful impact she continues to make.
Thandi Majola is no stranger to personal and professional growth. She first connected with WCBS at our former Old Mill Road premises while working for Supercare, where she was responsible for cleaning the labs. It was during this time that she discovered a passion for lab work and set her sights on a new path. She began her journey with WCBS as a lab assistant and is currently studying to become a medical technician, and has recently written her board exam. Her ultimate goal is a position as a medical technician, and there is no doubt she’s on track to achieve it.
As we celebrate Women’s Month, one thing is clear: the women of WCBS are nothing short of remarkable. From life-saving acts of love and community upliftment to conquering personal and professional goals, these stories remind us that strength comes in many forms and inspiration is all around us. So, here’s to the remarkable women who lead with their hearts, hustle with purpose, and shine when no one is watching. Happy Women’s Month.
