Who is Sister Annelie Scholtz – tell us about yourself.
I am a young-at-heart Registered Nurse working in manufacturing as a Wellness Coordinator. I am a Christian and try to live my faith the best I can. I enjoy being around people and love to help and support wherever possible. I am always willing to go the extra mile to make a difference in someone’s life. I am a music lover and enjoy dancing.
What are some of your fondest memories growing up as the eldest daughter in North West Province?
One of my fondest memories was swimming in the main water stream of the local golf course, which ran through town. It starts from the “Eye” on the east side of town and flows westward.
Another cherished memory is from our winter holidays, sitting in the living room next to a warm fire, knitting through the night. It was a special time with my father and brothers while my mother attended to household chores.
A third fond memory is of the fruit trees in our yard – we had 13 different kinds. After school, we would climb the trees and have a fruit feast, eating whatever was in season. On our way home from school, if we were thirsty or hungry, we would pick fruit from trees in people’s yards. Back then, it wasn’t a crime as small-town communities knew and looked out for each other.
You mentioned that your dream was to work at Ford Motor Company, and it came true. How did it feel when you officially joined the team?
Wow! I remember the excitement when I finally realised it was happening. For me, it felt like coming home. I belonged here. I love every minute of working with the Ford team. I feel comfortable at Ford, a brand my family has always trusted.
What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced as a nurse working in both rural and manufacturing environments?
In rural areas, the biggest challenge was the lack of access to medical services for those in need. Many people could not afford transport to town for healthcare.
In manufacturing, my biggest challenge is ensuring employees receive important health information. Since they work on production lines, they cannot be interrupted for long periods to attend wellness sessions. Finding ways to reach them effectively is an ongoing challenge.
Can you share a moment where you felt you made a significant difference in someone's life through your work at the Ford Silverton Plant?
There have been several such moments in my 16 years here. One that stands out was diagnosing an employee with diabetes. He was already experiencing symptoms. He later told me I had also diagnosed his father with the same condition in 2012, and his father remains healthy to this day. By identifying his illness early, I helped prevent a family from losing their breadwinner and saved his job by ensuring he received proper treatment.
Having pioneered several mobile clinics and wellness initiatives, what advice would you give to someone looking to implement healthcare services in under-resourced areas?
Consistency is key - regular visits with adequate resources are essential. Never fail to show up on scheduled days because people often walk several kilometres to access these services and wait all day. If you are reliable and show genuine care, you build a trust-based relationship with the community, which is invaluable. Clear communication is also critical to delivering effective healthcare services in rural areas.
How has your role as Wellness Coordinator at Ford evolved since you joined in 2008, and what initiatives are you particularly proud of?
I started when Ford outsourced its wellness services to Life Healthcare, focusing primarily on HIV and chronic illness care. Over time, my role expanded to include outreach programmes during Global Month of Caring (GMC), hospital and hospice visits, disability case management as well as pregnancy support. I have also trained peer educators and conducted health talks across departments.
One of the initiatives I am most proud of is the annual Health and Benefits Day. It started as a single event, but as it grew to accommodate 1,700 employees, we decided to take it directly to employees in different areas. This has made it even more accessible and effective.
With your passion for people and their health, what do you believe is the key to creating a healthier workforce?
Mental well-being is key. Mentally healthy employees are reliable, focused, and communicate effectively. They take fewer sick days and contribute positively to the workplace. In contrast, poor mental health leads to absenteeism, underperformance and workplace conflict, which can ultimately result in job losses. Prioritising mental well-being benefits both employees and the business.
As a grandmother who loves the outdoors, how do you introduce your grandchildren to nature and outdoor activities?
We love swimming together and hiking on the plot. When time allows, we go on outings and have picnics. I also teach them about trees, birds and the environment. They help me with gardening and looking after the animals, including our dogs and fish.
If you could spend an entire weekend doing your favourite outdoor activities, what would the perfect weekend look like?
It would start with a braai on Friday night, followed by an evening devotion and storytelling around the fire. We would go to bed early to rise for a morning devotion and sunrise hike. The day would include a picnic in the veld, swimming if possible and observing all that nature has to offer including the trees, insects and wildlife.
The evening would be spent around a campfire, enjoying family stories, roasting marshmallows and making stick bread. We would end the weekend with a Sunday morning devotion, a hearty breakfast and quality time reflecting on family memories before heading home safely.
Crafting is clearly one of your talents – what is the most memorable project you've completed?
My most memorable projects were sewing workshops in resettlement areas. I taught community women to make clothes for their children, bake bread (as town was far and transport costly), and create their own food gardens and chicken coops. These skills made a real difference in their daily lives.
What's a fun or unexpected skill you have that most people at work wouldn't know about?
I can cut, style, colour and perm hair - old-school style! My father used to cut my brothers' hair, but when he unexpectedly passed away at a young age, I took over. I can’t say every haircut was a success. On one occasion, the hair dye turned out blue! I ended up rushing to the local hairdresser for help.
What's your life motto?
“Treat others as you want to be treated!”