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Putting on her nurse\u2019s uniform means she\u2019s committed to serving the patients she cares for at Netcare Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital. \u201cI try to make sure they feel better and do my best to help them recover, which I think sometimes requires them to have a lot of courage too. When I put on my rugby uniform it’s not only to inspire younger generations. I am also very aware that I\u2019m playing for my family, my country and also for myself and my teammates. I often think that in a medical setting you can be as brilliant as ever, whether you are a doctor or a nurse or whatever other role, but you still require the person who is working next to you to help you to be successful. For example, you cannot resuscitate somebody alone. You need someone else to manage the airways, a colleague to manage circulation and someone to see to the medication, so the procedure is a success. So it helps identify other people’s strengths and combine them with yours to save a life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLikewise, rugby also teaches us to identify one another\u2019s strengths. It\u2019s a team sport. As an individual you can be very fit and super-fast, but you will never conquer your opposing team alone. You need your team for that. For me both these uniforms mean teamwork. I love working with other people. I always learn from others, and I also love to teach them what I know.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mokwai paid tribute to Netcare and her unit manager, Taahira Mondell, for allowing her to pursue her rugby career. \u201cI\u2019ve been assisted and supported, and I have really appreciated this.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Asked why, of all the sports available to women, she chose rugby, she laughed. \u201cBecause many people don’t think women can play rugby. I never thought I’d play rugby because I grew up thinking girls played netball and basketball, and the guys played rugby. I want to prove that we can do exactly the same as men do. I’ve played a lot of sports, but what makes rugby so unique is that it creates a bond that connects you with different characters and diverse cultures, in a way that encourages you to merge and become a family. It has that special quality.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And when she\u2019s not in the trauma department or on the rugby field Mokwai has a few perhaps unexpected hobbies to help her relax. \u201cI love to bake, especially dark chocolate brownies, cook delicious pasta dishes, and sew my own clothes. I used to do modelling, and although I haven\u2019t done a fashion shoot in a while, I am still a self-confessed fashionista. My previous rugby coaches couldn’t understand that there was this model that plays rugby. But regardless of the physical sport that I play, I’m still a woman, and I love looking beautiful, you know, having lashes, makeup, nails and a nice outfit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Many people think I am that strong girl, that tough cookie. But I have a big, soft heart. I think my colleagues may see me as being quite strict because I like certain things being done a certain way at work. It\u2019s not that I want it done my way, I want it done the right way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mokwai said she sometimes found it a bit overwhelming when people recognise her; she admits it’s lovely to connect with different people, \u201cand to see that people really acknowledge and appreciate what you do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe best thing about my job is being able to be a compassionate and caring nurse to those I help, like when I can be a shoulder to cry on or share words of encouragement. Seeing people getting better is what we want to see every day. With rugby, the best feeling isn\u2019t just about winning. Winning is a collective team effort, and it\u2019s great when that happens. I want to inspire young girls and young women to play rugby, and I also want to inspire those who are struggling to juggle two things at the same time. I feel like this is my journey and my story. It’s a testimony to say that you actually can do this \u2013 be one woman, with two uniforms and many aspects – and still walk tall.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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