Around this time last year, our country as we knew it changed forever. The world came into a halt and only the unsung heroes took up armor, working tirelessly around the clock, desperately trying to save lives.As the month of March is the anniversary month for the first covid-19 confirmed casein South Africa. This March, Youff took the opportunity to shine the light on the warriors who faced this battle head on.

This issue is dedicated to the doctors, nurses, bio medics, paramedics and all health care workers nationally and worldwide. With our sincerest, and deepest gratitude, we say, thank you

DR. LELO NKOSI

Is a medical practitioner full of life and sparkle. Dr Lelo Nkosi wears many hats and a crown at some point as Miss Ethekwini, is one of the honorary doctors we have featured in this issue.

Growing up KwaDukuza, Dr Nkosi was a top achiever in school and the path to medicine met her at a young age. “Being a doctor just happened for me, it was a career chosen for me before I was even asked what do I want to be?” her community believed in her so much that her high school principal tore up her CAO application that did not include medicine. “My principal filled it out for me and had medicine as the first option; they even offered to pay for my CAO application.”

Dr Nkosi used this support and her parent’s

aspiration as fuel to inspire throughout her years as a medical student. “I always reminded myself that what I’m doing is a way for me to say Thank you to my parents.”

Struggling with academic pressures and trying to discover her sense of belonging, Dr Nkosi almost dropped out during her 4 th year of medical

school, but paying homage to her parents was far more important. When the country shutdown, Dr Nkosi was at work, and just like us the anxiety only kicked later. “I wasn’t really into it until it started affecting us at work. Our working environment changed, we started losing staff members and cleaners.

It felt so close.”

Despite the panic and chaos, Dr Nkosi believes the healthcare system handled the pandemic very well. “I think the health care system as a whole wasn’t ready, but what we did was sufficient. It may not have been enough, but it did manage to save lives.”

Dr Nkosi urges young matriculants to study medicine. “As a young black girl, who grew up in the township, I would say go for it. Especially girls, being a doctor doing my internship and looking at my peers also doing their internship, I feel blessed as I am able to take care of my family without feeling it that much.” It may not have been enough, but it did manage to save lives.”

Dr Nkosi urges young matriculants to study medicine. “As a young black girl, who grew up in the township, I would say go for it. Especially girls, being a doctor doing my internship and looking at my peers also doing the internship, I feel blessed as I am able to take care of my family without feeling it that much.”

Dr. BONGINKOSI MAFUZE

Being diagnosed with a heart condition at a young age, Dr Bonginkosi knew from as little as grade 1 that he wanted to be a medical doctor. Cardiology being the core foundation of his inspiration, Dr Mafuze eventually let go of this dream and pursued specializing in Psychiatry. Outside of work, Dr Mafuze enjoys playing sports such as cricket and indoor soccer, as well as traveling.

Mental health being one of the biggest concerns during the lockdown, Dr Mafuze saw number patients through this difficult time. “It affected most of my clients as some of them are addicted to tobacco and alcohol but are able to use them in a contolled manner. So restricting them access to these substances really caused them to relapse, they became suicidal or depressed.” As patients were no longer coming to hospital, Dr Mafuze found new ways of reaching out to his patients using Tele-Psychiatry where they communicate telephonically with their patients. Dr Mafuze is pro vaccine and is excited to get his jab. In plight of the anxiety around the vaccine, Dr Mafuze encourages citizens to vaccine. “Fortunately we live in a world where you are allowed to make your own decisions. I can only educate you on why you should vaccine, the importance of the vaccine, the possible side effects and the expected outcome.

With conspiriciences going around I believe it’s very important for people to do their own research and educate themselves.” Dr Mafuze specializes in psychiatry which deals with mental health. He was inspired by the lack of importance of mental health within the black community and wishes to shift that narrative and highlight the importance of psychiatry.“People think we deal with people who pick papers, but it’s such a dynamic and broad field. We’ve seen people who have committed crimes while not being in the right state of mind, children with behavioral problems and sometimes people who are depressed. I think its high time the government invested in psychiatry.” Said Dr Mafuze.

DR NOXOLO KWEYAMA

Doctor to odado is Dr Noxolo Kweyama. Coming from a home of medical professionals, Dr Noxolo Kweyama followed in her mother’s footsteps. “I always knew I was going to be in the healthcare field, I also enjoyed life sciences at school. I’ve always gravitated towards that field.” Specializing in pediatrics, Dr Kweyama discovered new characteristics about herself. “I used to think I was not a patient person, but working with children I discovered that I am very patient and nurturing.” Dr Kweyama has found the perfect balance between her demanding work life and social life. “You need to stay true to yourself and recognize what do you need to do that will give you joy. Your job needs to adjust to your life not the other way around,”said Dr Kweyama. Having survived covid-19, the pandemic was more taxing to Dr Kweyama’s physical wellbeing, leaving her drained and confined to not exploring due to lockdown restrictions. “Mabajove abantu”, giggled Dr Kweyama. She urges citizens to understand that we are all still learning about the virus. “All the vaccines we have today all started off somewhere at some point in time.” Dr Kweyama encourages medical practitioners who wish to specialize in a certain to take time to find their calling.”It all comes with time, you may decide to work in one specialty then decide that it’s not for you. You shouldn’t mind going to work and you should put in the work to be where you want to be!”