When the doors of Unjani Clinic Rosslyn opened, the air felt different – celebratory, tender, and filled with the quiet hum of faith. Women who stood shoulder to shoulder, not just as witnesses to a clinic launch, but as witnesses to a woman stepping boldly into her calling. And at the heart of it all was Sr. Shoni: Gentle, joyful, disciplined, and radiating the unmistakable energy of someone walking in divine purpose.
You don’t meet Sr. Shoni. You feel her.
She doesn’t simply nurse — she lives nursing. Caring for people is not a profession she performs; it is a posture of her spirit. Anyone who has crossed her path knows that for her, delivering primary healthcare is more than service, more than livelihood. This is what it looks like when purpose finds flesh.
A Journey Marked by Waiting, Faith, and an Unshakable Calling
Her story with Unjani Clinic didn’t begin today. It began in 2013, when she was retrenched and found herself navigating the uncomfortable valley between uncertainty and hope. Her mother-in-law shared a pamphlet for the Unjani Nursepreneur Programme, and true to her nature — unwavering and courageous — she applied.
It didn’t work out.
Most people would have turned away. But Sr. Shoni understood something deeper:
“It was not God’s time.”
So, she carried on — hope, waiting, disappointment, revival, and a willingness to trust God’s timing rather than her own. Every step, even the painful ones, brought her to this exact moment. And as she stood in her new clinic on opening day, surrounded by supporters, sponsors, colleagues, and community members, it was clear:
She was always meant to be here.
As I was observing her, watching her move through the space with quiet authority and grateful joy, the strongest thought that came to mind was:
“She lives in the knowledge that God chose her.”
A Clinic Built for the People Who Hold Our Economy Together.
Rosslyn is a vibrant industrial hub — a place where thousands of factory workers, young mothers, gogos, and community members hustle, produce, contribute, and hold up essential parts of South Africa’s economy.
Yet these same people face daily barriers to healthcare:
- Overcrowded public clinics,
- Travelling long distances,
- Losing a day or more from work — often without pay,
- And private GPs priced far out of reach.
Unjani Clinic Rosslyn changes all of that.
With doors opening at 08:00 and closing at 17:00, the clinic makes it possible for everyday people to access professional, dignified care without sacrificing a day’s wages or travelling across the city.
And because Unjani Clinics operate as owner-run, service-driven enterprises, the standard of care is rooted in accountability and deep pride. For Sr. Shoni, each returning patient is not just a client — they are proof that she is fulfilling her calling.
The Heartbeat of the Community: Dignity, Hope, and Opportunity
A clinic is never just a building.
It is:
- Jobs created.
- Dignity restored.
- Safety offered.
- Trust earned.
- The local economy strengthened.
The opening of Unjani Clinic Rosslyn is a powerful example of how corporate South Africa can rise with communities. The presence and support of Novartis, Redefine, Barberry, and the Gauteng Department of Health made the day feel bigger than an event, it felt like a promise.
A promise that when we collaborate across sectors, we can build a healthcare ecosystem that truly serves our people.
A Woman Leading the Way
Sr. Shoni’s leadership style is a tapestry of gentle strength, disciplined purpose, and joyful presence. Her faith sits at the centre of everything she touches. It guides how she treats her staff, her patients, her partners, and her community.
If she were speaking directly to young girls standing on the edge of their own dreams, she would surely say:
“Don’t wait for someone to build it for you.
You are the builder — and with God by your side, there is no limit.”
And standing in her clinic, that truth feels undeniably lived.
More Than a Clinic. A Movement.
This opening is not just a personal victory.
It is part of a broader movement of women-led healing spaces in South Africa, women choosing to create what they once had to wait for. Women building the system they wish existed. Women placing care, dignity, and access at the centre of community life.
When women lead, communities rise.
When women build, society heals.
And when women like Sr. Shoni step into their God-given purpose, entire generations benefit. Sista.Love is fortunate to partner with Sister Shoni, as our resident primary health care champion. We are proud to introduce our “AskSistaShoni” health page to th Sista.love Community.
AskSistaShoni — Your Private Primary Healthcare Page
Each week, Sr. Shoni will respond to email requests and turn your questions into educational articles designed to support your health journey with dignity and clarity.
Because healthcare should be personal.
It should be accessible.
It should be filled with love, knowledge, and hope.
Just like Sr. Shoni.
Submit your health issue queries below, and SistaShoni will answer every second week in article format according to your prevalent queries
