She walked to school barefoot. Now this nurse recycles medical waste into shoes

To get to school every day, Zinhle Ndlovu travelled by foot. Born in Mvuzane, Nkandla in KwaZulu-Natal, she had to cross gravel roads and rivers. “I walked several kilometres to school without shoes,” Ndlovu describes. But she was relentless in pursuing her education. As a nurse today, she’s determined to prevent other children from having the same experience. In 2018, Ndlovu founded the Sinomusa Sonke Foundation to provide pupils with brand new shoes made entirely out of recycled hospital waste.

“Many kids still don’t have proper school shoes and many of the shoes are worn out, too small, or broken,” she says. “Because of high unemployment, parents cannot afford to buy shoes.” This leaves children at risk of infection or injury, and without the appropriate uniform they may stop attending school entirely. Meanwhile, health facilities across the country generate over 40 000 tonnes of waste each year. Together with Netcare and Adcock Ingram Critical Care, Ndlovu partners with My Walk, an initiative which recycles oxygen masks, tubes and PVC bags to produce school shoes for children in need.

To date, Ndlovu has donated 2 000 pairs of free shoes to pupils in and around Amanzimtoti. “Seeing children receive a good pair of shoes makes me happy,” she says. “Just by using your own life experiences and lessons, you can make a big impact.” Still on her feet as she fulfills her nursing duties, this time Ndlovu is going the extra mile for others.