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By Sameer naik 
3h ago
Johannesburg – Dr. Thakgalo Thibela is anything but a normal 21-year-old.
While most people her age are busy completing their degrees or figuring out what career they want to pursue, Thibela has been on the front lines at Helen Joseph Hospital in Joburg saving lives during the Covid-19 pandemic.
That’s because, Thibela is one of the youngest doctors in South Africa and recently received his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from the University of the Witwatersrand.
“It’s really challenging,” Thibela told the Saturday Star. “The number of Covid-19 positive patients on a daily basis that we have to treat is terrifying. It is worse when people say that we are killing their relatives when we are literally doing our best, just sleeping. “
At 21, Thibela has a great responsibility. And although it has been a tough few months, he has taken it all in stride.
“I decided to come to the Helen Joseph and although it has been a challenge, I have enjoyed my time. There is a lot of support and you never feel alone. I look forward to the two years that I will spend here.
“Even in the hectic days of contemplating my life’s options, I never thought of changing careers, I wouldn’t even know what to do even if I had to do something else.”
Thibela has been trending on social media for the past two weeks, after she was hailed as one of the youngest doctors in the country.
When asked how he felt about accomplishing such a monumental feat, he said that he had not yet assimilated.
“Since high school I’ve always been the youngest in my class, but I never felt like it, so when I graduated I didn’t even feel the youngest because my age is not something that much.
“To be honest, it hasn’t really taken in yet, but I know it’s a great achievement, so I’m very proud of myself.”
Thibela, who grew up in Violetbank, a rural town in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga, said it has always been her dream to become a doctor.
“I remember when I had to apply to college and had to choose three fields of study, I did not know what other things to choose besides medicine, so I literally chose the others at random and hoped to have my first choice. “
At her primary school, Farel Primary, she skipped the seventh grade and was immediately promoted to secondary school.
At Lehlasedi High School, Thibela also skipped the ninth grade and enrolled at age 15, with seven distinctions from eight subjects. He then went to Wits, where he obtained the Golden Key International Membership.
“I was very lucky that the schools I went to (public schools, by the way) promoted students who felt they were doing well academically, so I didn’t do 7th and 9th grades and also started school a year earlier , which allowed me to complete matric in 15. “
At 16, he made the journey from his village in Mpumalanga to Joburg.
But the move was not easy, Thibela recalled.
“I had to learn to be independent very quickly at 16 years old. I also struggled with self-esteem issues. Coming from a town and being in this great city and a huge campus with people from all over. I felt like maybe it was a mistake to be there and that maybe I didn’t belong.
“I struggled to express myself in groups and that affected me a lot when I reached my clinical years because what I needed was to have confidence and to be able to express myself. They always told me to be more confident and to speak up because I know the answers. I’m still trying to get over it. “
Despite the challenges he overcame and finally graduated this year.
Thibela said that this was not only a great achievement for her, but also for the village she comes from.
“As a black woman from a rural area, this is very important to me and my people at home. It is a reminder to all young women that we are capable of being whatever we want.
“Violetbank is a rural area that still faces many challenges. That was all I knew and because of the sense of community we have, it was a good place to grow. I look forward to inspiring others in my community to pursue their dreams. “
He added that his family was incredibly proud of his accomplishments.
“My parents are educated, so education is something that is emphasized at home. I was lucky enough to grow up in a middle-class household so almost everything we needed was provided and I got all the study guides I needed. I guess that helped me focus better on my studies. My family is very proud of me ”.
Helping patients brings you the greatest joy.
“The gratitude that patients have after receiving help gives me great joy. Seeing smiles on patients’ faces after a consultation or when they are discharged from the hospital is the reason I love this job so much. I’ve always wanted to help people and medicine has given me the platform to do so. “
Thibela has her eye on eventually becoming a neurosurgeon.
“The brain and nervous system have always fascinated me. If your brain stops working, whether your heart is still beating or not, you are considered dead.
“For me, the brain is the most important organ in the human body and I would like to know more about it and help improve people who have brain and nervous system injuries.”
He also has some tips for young people interested in becoming a doctor.
“It’s possible, you just have to know. Start researching which college you want to go to early to find out what is required and start working to make sure they accept you.
“All you need is hard work and determination. It’s not easy and you will burn out and question your life choices at some point, but it’s worth it. “
Saturday’s star
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