• Stories of the success of young Africans are inspiring. They tell us of young spirits that are daring to battle the odds just in order to further the development of the continent. One such inspiring story is that of Sandile Kubheka.

    In 2013, Sandile Kubheka made history in South Africa and on the continent as well by qualifying to be a medical doctor only at the age of 20. His success story still endures up to this day, as does his daring ambitions. He graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Sandile had distinctions in obstetrics and gyanaecology. The young and passionate doctor had already made his mark, a lasting legacy.

    Sandile Kubheka commenced his formal education at the tender age of five. At age 15, he matriculated from Siyamukhela High School and from then he enrolled for a Medicine degree. He graduated from the UKZN as the youngest graduate, and at that time was very elated that he had also become the first person in his family to acquire a medical degree. He is the youngest in a family of five children.

    Striving towards answering the call to heal patients suffering from tuberculosis, HIV and diabetes is something that motivated him to embark on such an amazing journey, and he continues to do so. When he enrolled at UKZN’s Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, he served in the Rural Development Club, the Happy Valley Clinic and on the Medical Student’s Representative Council. It has always been his passion to heal people that has propelled him to great levels of success. He was selected by his classmates to receive the Yashiv Sham Bursary for having compassion and caring qualities and the Enid Gordon Jacob Good Fellowship Prize for character and good conduct.

    He enjoys working with rural communities and also enjoys giving back to the community. In 2016 he said, “I love working especially with rural communities which often don’t have easy access to medical treatment. I assisted in registering the Happy Valley Clinic as a Non-Profit Organisation during my student years and will continue to work with disadvantaged communities in the future. I’ve had a very humble upbringing and my mum, who raised me and my four siblings on her own, greatly assisted in keeping me grounded. I am the first to qualify as a doctor in my family.”

    Kubheka has always repeated that he is very proud to be a beacon of hope for the young generation. He did his internship at Grey’s Hospital and he has openly expressed his wishes to enroll for a Master’s degree in endocrinology.

    Doctor Sandile Kubheka is a clear attestation that age has got nothing to do when it comes to making meaningful contributions and change in society. He dared it all, and the hope he continues to inspire in young people is of high magnitude.

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