The Apple Doesn’t Fall Far from the Tree!

BY: .

The daughters of two colleagues in the College of Health Sciences (CHS) have graduated as medical doctors.

They are Dr Esté Botha and Dr Amanda Zondo, daughters of the Director of College Professional Services, Professor Fanie Botha, and the School of Nursing and Public Health Operations Manager, Mr Bheki Zondo.

‘It is a dream come true; surreal! Like I need someone to pinch me,’ said Este who overcame being hospitalised with pneumonia in the fifth year of her MBChB degree and persevered because of her passion for people.

‘Despite all their faults and flaws, people fascinate me - their anatomy and physiology, what makes them cry and what makes them smile,’ she said.

Este completed a year of BSc in Biological Science at the University of Pretoria in 2009, receiving membership of the Golden Key International Honours Society. She is no stranger to Dean’s Commendations at UKZN and received a Certificate of Merit for the Trauma module in fourth-year.

Este, who is keen to eventually specialise in paediatrics, said her friends and family were really proud of her. ‘Right now I am just enjoying internship. I honestly love my job!’

Amanda said: ‘I feel humbled and extremely grateful that God’s grace has carried me this far. I’m happy to finally be able to serve the community in my full capacity as a doctor and it feels great to know that people can benefit from my six years of hard work.’

Medicine was her choice because helping people is her calling. ‘Public health is my first love. The idea of mass intervention and strategies excites me because problem solving is my forte. I want to be a decision maker and have a noticeable impact on the health system.’

Amanda, who got the Good Fellowship award during her first year at UKZN, served as a first-year class representative in the Medical Student Representative Council Finance and Projects portfolios as well as secretary and later chairperson of the Rural Development Committee.

She intends to complete her internship and community service in Gauteng before participating in the local Department of Health project centred on medical students. She is also a budding musician and is working on a few songs which she hopes will pave the way for her in the industry.

‘My advice to medical students is to keep up the good fight! Give it your all so that you can rest knowing that you made the most of your learning opportunity.’

Lunga Memela