Name: Dr. Thandeka Ngcobo
Role/Occupation: Medical doctor
Country: South Africa
Dr. Thandeka Ngcobo is a medical doctor currently employed by the Department of Health, completing the final year of her medical internship at Mafikeng Provincial Hospital in the North West province. Ngcobo matriculated from Umlazi Comprehensive Technical High School and was subsequently accepted at the University of KwaZulu Natal, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine where she graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB).
During her two year internship, Ngcobo has been rotated to all the major departments within the hospital and thus has worked not only in general medical wards but also in the paediatrics and neonatal wards, psychiatric wards, surgical wards, trauma and emergency area and presently at the obstetrics and gynaecology ward. Her tasks entail managing acute and chronic diseases in both outpatients and inpatients as well as assisting and performing various surgical procedures. After years of training, Ngcobo realised that her “primary role was not to necessarily prevent death but to improve the quality of life.”
As a young girl, Ngcobo always aspired to be a doctor. However, her journey to realising her dream was not without obstacles. Whilst in high school she had to pursue a tough course called ‘double science’ which involved a combination of Physical Science, Life Science and Mathematics amongst other subjects. However, just before her final matric exams, she discovered that she was pregnant. Despite the shock, she preserved and work hard and was not only able to pass Grade 12, but also obtained 6 As and one B and became one of the top 10 matriculants in the Ethekwini District. Being a teenage mother while pursuing her medical degree was challenging, “as the years went by I thought of quitting and pursuing another career but my love for humanity kept me in the medical field. I knew that this was my calling and that the world needs me,” she recalls. Ngcobo works long hard hours as South African public hospitals are usually very busy, but her “love for humanity and helping those in need motivates [her] to get out of bed every morning.
Nothing is as heartwarming as seeing [a] patient who came in being pushed in, and [seeing] them walking out of the ward, the happiness in a mother’s face who comes in with a lethargic baby and few minutes after resuscitation she sees her actively playing baby or the joy in mother who hears the first cry of her baby and they softly utter ‘thank you doctor’,” she explains.
Ngcobo says the happiest day of her life was the day she found out that she completed all the requirements for her degree, “I actually cried that day, my dream had come true, all my sleepless nights and hard work had paid off and I was ready to serve Africa diligently,” she recalls. Another golden moment in her career was her graduation day which was attended by her parents, “I was happy that they were there to witness the fruits of their labor, that though they never got the chance to study they were able to attend a graduation ceremony.” The next milestone in her career is becoming a specialist in her desired speciality, Paediatrics.
She describes her experience as a woman in the STEM space as having been exciting yet challenging, “as women in science we almost always have to prove our capability and skills despite having gone through the same training as our male colleagues. I actually love the challenge though because it makes me what to do more and do better at all times,” she elaborates. Her advice to young women aspiring to enter the STEM field is to choose a career that they are passionate about and not one that they’ve been pressurised into, “when you follow your passion then it does not matter how long it takes you to get there or the challenges you may come across, you will never give up,” she explains. She also shares some knowledge with regards to facing obstacles and hurdles on your career path, “a wise man once said that calm oceans never make skilful sailors. So do expect some storms but always remember that the storm will pass and you are being prepared for the journey ahead.”
Ngcobo firmly believes that Africa is a land of opportunity but points out that Africans must always remember that they have the ability to break and make Africa, “our dreams and innovations will bring about growth in our continent… We must be the change we want to see and always strive for excellence,” she elaborates.
Read more about Thandeka Ngcobo, not just a medical doctor but also a doctor for the soul with her perseverance and passion for the field, in the inspiring interview below.
Thandeka Ngcobo was interviewed by Dhruti Dheda, the founder of the African Steminist on behalf of Geeky Girl Reality. The full interview can be found here.
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