S.E.T. for socio-economic growth
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Faith would like to see healthcare become accessible to everyone, regardless of their socioeconomic status or geographical location
I believe I’m drawn to medicine because of my strong urge and desire to make a positive impact on people’s lives. I want to earn the opportunity to alleviate suffering and improve the state of health of another person. I know that I’m not God, therefore, I’m not a life saver, but I want to be a life changer. Even during my high school years, I’ve always had the passion for science and biology. I’ve always been fascinated by the human body, biology and the intricacies of how it functions. Thus, I developed a deep-seated interest in science and a desire to apply that knowledge to improve healthcare outcomes.
The desire for intellectual challenge is what motivated me to pursue medicine. I’m attracted to the complex and ever-evolving nature of medicine. It’s a field where I can continuously learn and grow. Personal experiences also had a hand in influencing my decision to pursue medicine, because seeing a loved one face a health challenge sparked my interest in the field.
There are several changes I would like to see in the world, and I believe that each of us, regardless of our specific roles, can contribute to making these changes happen. Such as healthcare accessibility, where healthcare is accessible for everyone regardless of their socioeconomic status or geographical location. I would like to see a continued emphasis on research and innovation in medicine, as well as the widespread adoption of evidence-based guidelines and practices. I believe I can contribute to these changes by contributing to research and evidence-based practices through clinical work and participation in studies.
I completed my schooling at Khutsalani Secondary School in Kabokweni, Mbombela, Mpumalanga. Attending school at Khutsalani was the best thing that had ever happened to me. The five years I spent attending that school, from grade 8-12, were some of the best years of my life. My teachers were so amazing. Their commitment to my education and wellbeing played a big role in my positive experiences and fond memories of high school. They always knew how to make learning engaging and interactive. They were always passionate about their subjects and genuinely enjoyed sharing their knowledge with us as their learners.
Real world applications: maths and physics have endless real-world applications, from medicine to technology to engineering. Experiencing how these concepts are applied in practical context made the subjects more interesting. Problem-solving challenges: these subjects involve problem solving which can be quite challenging. However, the process of solving a challenging problem, using logical and analytical thinking, and finally arriving at a correct solution was very satisfying. All in all, my enjoyment of physics and maths was influenced by factors like problem-solving, logical thinking, understanding the world around me, sense of accomplishment – the list is endless.
I think there are many reasons why some people are facing difficulties in excelling in maths and science, which includes some of the following:
My advice to learners who are currently struggling with maths and science is stay positive and persistent. Embrace a growth mindset, believing that your abilities can be developed through hard work and learning from your mistakes. Practice regularly to master concepts and develop problem-solving skills. Remember that learning is a journey, and each step forward brings you closer to success.
Grade 11 and 12 are the most important grades in every learner’s life. This is the time whereby you need to give it your all. To the grade 11s: take this stage of your life very seriously because your grade 11 results will be used for university applications. This will determine your future. To the grade 12s, congratulations for making it this far. Grade 12 is the shortest academic year. Make sure that you’re always keeping up with the practice and study smart with dedication. Know what you want to achieve at the end, have a specific goal or set an academic target for yourself. Take advantage of available resources and tools to support your learning. Find a study method that works best for you.
As a matriculant, it’s your responsibility to make sure that you apply as early as possible, in order to avoid last minute applications, which might lead to rejections. Even if your Grade 11 results are not particularly strong, apply for extended programmes and make sure you excel in matric. If you achieve good marks, you may no longer need to do an extended programme. Apply to as many universities as possible, do not limit yourself, because these days even the sky is no longer the limit. Overall, study hard and smart, give it your all. Remember the last kick of a dying horse is always the strongest.
There are a lot of qualities that make an achiever. Those include some of the following:
Achievers are resilient and bounce back from failures and persevere through obstacles with determination. Having clear goals and a concise sense of direction, setting SMART goals and have a plan on how to achieve them makes one an achiever.
To the resilient and powerful youth of South Africa (SA), you are the future. The power to shape SA for generations to come is in your hands. You are the promise of our future and the heartbeat of our nation. Believe in yourself. Believe in your dreams, abilities and aspirations. Let no obstacle prevent you from pursuing your aspirations. Dream big, set ambitious goals, take bold actions to turn your dreams into reality. Embrace creativity and innovation as progress catalysts. Stay resilient and optimistic, believe in the boundless potential of the future and your ability to overcome challenges. As the youth of SA, you are the drivers of change, embrace your role with joy and pride. Together let’s build SA that is prosperous for all.
I am filled with absolute gratitude for the remarkable role each one of you played in shaping my life. Your dedication, passion and support has left an unremovable mark on my life. Thank you for your patience, encouragement and belief in my potential even during moments of uncertainty and doubt. I’m grateful for the countless hours you have invested in giving us lessons and going above and beyond to shape your student’s growth and development. You created a warm environment where we felt loved, valued and respected. As I embark on a new journey of my life, I promise to harness the values, lessons and teachings you have imparted. Thank you, with every fibre of my being, for being the remarkable educators that you are. Your impact goes beyond the walls of the classroom. I am honoured to have been your student.
Prof Salome Maswime, NSTF-SAMRC Clinician-Scientist Award winner at the 2023 NSTF-South32 Awards, is an obstetrician, gynaecologist, and Head of Global Surgery at the University of Cape Town (UCT). I would thank Prof Maswime because after reading an article about her, I learnt that I should not be afraid of trying out new things. Her words motivated me to get out of my comfort zone. A big thank you to Prof Maswime for sharing her life experiences because that taught me a lot especially coming from an experienced and influential figure like herself to a first-year medicine student like me. You are a beautiful and remarkable person Prof Maswime and one day I would love to be just like you.
S.E.T. for socio-economic growth
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