Alumni

Real Nurses. Real Stories. Real Impact.

Since opening our doors in 1997, Chatsmed Candlelight Nursing School has trained thousands of nurses who have gone on to serve in hospitals, clinics, and communities across South Africa and far beyond. But our graduates are more than just nurses. They’re mothers and fathers, mentors and leaders, entrepreneurs and advocates. They are the quiet hands behind recovery, the steady voices in emergencies, and the familiar faces in homes, wards, and villages. This page is where we honour those journeys. Our alumni have become head nurses in regional hospitals, midwives in rural clinics, trauma team members in major cities, and even healthcare workers in the UK, Middle East, and Australia. Some have returned to teach. Others have built their own agencies, opened their own clinics, or gone into public health and policy. All of them share one thing in common: they started with a decision to study at Candlelight. Whether you're a current student looking ahead, a graduate looking back, or a parent wondering if this school is the right fit for your child. we hope these stories remind you of what's possible. Because at Candlelight, we don’t just train nurses. We shape futures. Let me know if you’d like me to help place this into a web page layout, brochure format, or submission portal for alumni contributions. Whether you’re a current student looking for inspiration, or a graduate ready to share your journey.

Our Alumni Beams of light

“I walked into Candlelight’s Durban campus in 2015 with no idea what the future held. I was nervous, unsure of myself, and honestly, just hoping to finish the course and find work locally. But what I found instead was a learning environment that challenged me to grow far beyond the textbook. The practicals were tough, the expectations were clear, and the support was constant. From clinical placements to case study discussions, I learned how to handle pressure, speak up for patients, and manage my own mindset. Today, I’m working in a trauma unit at a hospital in Manchester. The pace is fast, the environment intense, but I feel grounded because my foundation was strong. People often ask me where I trained and I say with pride: 'Chatsmed Candlelight, South Africa.'”

Graduated: 2018 – Diploma in Nursing

Ayanda Makhanya

Currently: NHS Trauma Nurse, United Kingdom

“I knew I wanted to help bring life into the world. That’s what drew me to midwifery. When I started the Advanced Diploma at Candlelight in 2020, I thought it would be all theory and clinical checklists. I was wrong in the best way. Yes, we covered the essentials: safe delivery, antenatal assessments, postnatal care. But we also talked about the emotional strength it takes to support young mothers. We were trained not just to care for babies, but to advocate for the women giving birth. Now I work at a community clinic in KZN where resources are limited, but our will to serve is strong. Every time I assist in a safe delivery, I remember the voices of my lecturers, reminding us to breathe, to listen, and to trust our training. I do that every day.”

Thandeka Biyela

Currently: Midwife, Ugu District Health

“When I started at Candlelight in 2012, nursing was just a job to me. I needed stability. But over time, it became something deeper, a calling and eventually, a purpose. The school didn’t just train me to be a good nurse; it taught me to lead, think critically, and spot opportunities. After graduating, I worked in a few hospitals both public and private, but I always had a dream to do something more independent. I noticed how many clinics and retirement homes struggled to find qualified, professional nurses at short notice. So I started my own small nursing agency. In the beginning, it was just me and two other nurses. Today, we’ve grown to over 20 staff, supplying trained nursing professionals to care homes, private practices, and NGOs across Gauteng. What sets us apart? The same values I learned at Candlelight: show up with care, do your job with excellence, and never forget the human side of this work. Candlelight gave me my foundation, now I’m building something I hope will outlive me.”

Zanele Khumalo

From Student Nurse to Business Owner

Are You One of Us?

If you’re a Candlelight graduate with a story to share, we want to hear it. Whether you’re working in a small clinic or a major hospital, overseas or right here at home,your journey matters.

Email us at: alumni@ccns.school
Send us a short write-up, a recent photo, and an update on where your path has led.