Zodwa grew up in the Eastern Cape rural village of Ngcolosi in the Tsolo district, hailing from one of the then progressive community serving families, the Mvambo family.

Her Education led her eventually to settle for a career in nursing. It is in this profession that she served selflessly until her old age and failing health led to her retirement and eventual return to South Africa.

Sis-Zodwa or Mama as she was affectionately and respectfully called by many left South Africa to join others in the liberation movement in exile and to contribute her professional skills as needed. She was also joining up with her husband Mr. Maduna who left for exile earlier and she carried along their baby daughter Mandisa. They were with the African National Congress (ANC). After some time in the countries around South Africa the family moved to Canada and settled in Toronto. This move which was facilitated by the late Archbishop Ted Scott was to be the beginning of many years of friendship and collaboration with the Archbishop addressing issues affecting the disadvantaged South African and other African exiles. She also always remained a devout Anglican Church member.

Her unrestricted devotion to the welfare of anyone in the community who needed support made her a mother not only to South Africans but to many others displaced from the Southern African countries like Zimbabwe. Her health care skills were in great demand not just for direct care but also for helping arrange the appropriate referrals to other health professionals. With any bereavement or critical illness Zodwa was always one of the first individuals to be informed for both advice and support. She would then see to it that the rest of the community was mobilized to address the situation.

The solid integrity and humanity values that rural South Africa inculcated in her as she grew up gave Zodwa an exceptionally kind, generous, patient, and God embracing personality that continued to be a blessing to many throughout her working years, in South Africa, Southern Africa, and eventually Canada.

Although her profession and daily job was nursing, Muriel devoted a great part of her off-duty time practicing social work skills within her community. She gave her time selflessly providing support for whoever was in need. It is her amazing readiness to give herself generously to others that led many to fondly address her as Mama Maduna. She personifies the concept of Ubuntu, an African word that encapsulates the description of kindess towards humanity.

Zodwa spearheaded the establishment of a community organization to support materially and emotionally the bereaved individuals or families. She was the founding chairperson of this organization.

She has been known to spend countless hours visiting incarcerated fellow community members, some with mental illness. She, on some occasion, organized and ensured a continuous bedside vigil in support of a fellow South African with no local family who was in a coma for many days. This ensured that the quality of care of this young individual who subsequently made a full recovery was not compromised by the absence of any immediate family. She helped establish a heritage association that helped educate the Canadian born generation of children of South Africans about the rich culture and traditions of their country as well as its painful history. Zodwa's insistence on always having a moment of prayer, not just for sad but also for happy occasions is well known. She would not mind diving into an "obscure" old South African hymn that is known only to her, or on or two other older members of the community who might often be unable to even sing a note. She was the ultimate mediator appreciated by all in the community whenever issues required this skill came up between groups, individuals, and even couples. Her unique accomodating heart, like that of a parent to her children, was always ready to understand and deal with situations that made others frown or wash their hands and turn their backs.