Mbabane – Marcia Motsa, a human-resources professional and mother of two, from Manzini, Eswatini, started her journey with blood donation during high school, when the local blood bank visited and provided detailed information about the process. Although she stopped donating after school as work and family shifted her focus, in 2023 her commitment was reignited by a presentation given by the Ministry of Health at her workplace. 

“The realization that donating blood is a crucial, sacrificial, act anyone can perform made me decide to start donating again,” she says. “Blood is not a resource that can be purchased anywhere. So, the lack of that ‘product’, makes it even more important for people to realize that blood donation is something that they should consider doing.”

Reflecting on her early experience, Motsa acknowledges that donating blood as a young person influenced her renewed commitment as an adult. "I knew the process and wasn't afraid. Now, as a mother, I'm more aware of the need for blood in health care facilities and I am more committed to donating," she says. 

Reflecting on a recent blood donation drive in which she participated, Motsa says the process was quick and relaxed due to the professionalism of health care workers. Despite her fear of needles, the supportive environment and awareness of the vital need for blood help her overcome any anxieties. “I didn't feel dizzy, I didn't feel anything,” she says. “I felt like they could take more blood, but they say they have a threshold. So, I felt good afterwards and I was okay for the rest of the day.”

Motsa believes that workplaces can contribute to making blood donation more accessible to professionals and the working class by having clinics on site. “I appreciate the work that is being done, through various partnerships, by the Ministry of Health,” she says “As a professional the challenge is balancing work and other commitments. If there was a clinic here that I can just go and pop by any time, it would make things even easier.” 

She urges young people to start the habit of donating blood early in life, as she did. “There are certain decisions that you need to start cultivating yourself into doing, which feed into the person that you become at a later stage,” she says. “It’s good to start such a noble behaviour young.”