Cimas honours Dr Madeline Nyamwanza-Makonese at Harare medical centre

When Dr Madeline Nyamwanza-Makonese qualified in 1970, she was the only woman in her class of 25 at the University of Rhodesia’s medical school. Cimas has now named its former Van Praagh Medical Centre in Milton Park, Harare, after the physician recognised as Zimbabwe’s first Black female medical doctor, Pindula News reports.

At the renaming ceremony, her husband, Eben Makonese, recalled the private practice she established after leaving government and City of Harare service. One Christmas morning, she prepared to leave for the surgery despite the holiday: she wanted to be there in case a patient needed medical attention. She completed the 60-kilometre round trip and returned home later that day.

Cimas chief executive Vuli Ndlovu linked the honour to the professional standards and patient care associated with her career. He said the organisation’s service was defined by the people working in its facilities, rather than by buildings and equipment alone.

Dr Nyamwanza-Makonese’s name is now engraved on the centre’s entrance plaque. The ceremony recognises a medical career that spans public service, municipal healthcare and private practice.