Defying Dire Straits to Graduate as a Medical Doctor Summa Cum Laude

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The 6^th of May 2024 was not a normal day for Dr Thembelihle Angel Maziya who graduated as the only Black female out of 14 students who completed UKZN’s difficult Medical programme summa cum laude.

The 24-year-old Highveld Secondary School matriculant from Tjakastad, a small village in Mpumalanga, said she was happy to be home and servicing her community as a Medical intern at Rob Ferreira Hospital in Nelspruit.

‘It feels good and it gives me a sense of accomplishment. I feel that nothing is impossible if you give it your all and put God by your side. I honestly feel very honoured, and I’m grateful to God for making this dream come true,’ Maziya said.

Her friends and family are extremely proud of her. 

Maziya said what saw her through her degree was knowing what she wanted and why she came to Medical School. ‘I was able to get my priorities straight, which involved me organising my study material early, finding a suitable learning style for myself, and seeking help when I needed it. I would often go the extra mile when trying to gather data to understand some chapters and sometimes join study groups and watch YouTube videos.

‘I am a lifelong learner who appreciates science; knowing that Medicine is rooted in science and is a dynamic profession made me want to take the role of improving the health of people based on science and continue learning new things every day.’

Maziya said her fondest memory of Medical School was when she had to do group and bedside discussions in the hospital because it was where she had the opportunity to learn quite a bit and to manage real-life patients. ‘Although it was difficult, it made me feel like a doctor and brought insight into what I should expect during my internship. I also had the privilege of making friends which improved my social life.

‘I am the first born in my family, the first one to go to varsity and both my parents are unemployed.’

Maziya said her greatest support was her family and the friends she made in Medical School. ‘My greatest motivation to complete the degree was the fact that I had to study to get my family out of poverty and to be able to afford my own basic needs  and of course to go back and serve my community in Mpumalanga which is what I am doing.’

Her future aspirations are to further her studies and specialise in either obstetrics and gynaecology or surgery, and to have a stable family of her own. ‘I also want to invest in property and get into the logistics business,’ said the visionary.

When not dedicating her time to patients, Maziya loves to travel, do gardening, as well as swimming and bowling.

Words: Lunga Memela

Photograph: Sethu Dlamini