1. THANDEKA MAZIBUKO
heroine
Connections
Thandeka Mazibuko, 35,
was brought up by a single mother,
a domestic worker, in poverty-ridden
KwaNyuswa village outside Durban.
Fighting formidable odds, she forged
her way through medical school with
loans and bursaries to become the first
Black student accepted to specialise in
radiation oncology in KwaZulu-Natal.
She is determined to raise awareness
of breast, cervical and prostate cancer,
and HIV and Aids, through her
organisation, Sinomusanothando
Community Development.
Thandeka Mazibuko on…
The power of perseverance: “I’m
strong-willed and patient. The schools
I went to had no science facilities, so
I taught myself. When my high school
burnt down, I was sent to an aunt and
uncle and was made to clean, cook and
baby-sit. When they forced me into an
arranged marriage to a man who abused
me, I ran away to university. My family
deserted me in shame, but I put myself
through a bachelor’s degree in science
at the University of the North
(now Limpopo). I excelled, and
was accepted to do medicine at the
Nelson R. Mandela Medical School.”
Choosing her career: “My village
had no doctor, and I watched
people die of manageable
illnesses, like breast, cervical
and prostate cancers. I saw how
language and cultural barriers
led to misunderstanding of
sickness and poor compliance
with treatment. I became a doctor
to save the lives of my people – that’s
why I work at a public hospital, when
many doctors have left for better
conditions and pay.”
Overcoming hardship: “Being married
off against my will and made to live
with in-laws who treated me like
a slave was extremely hard. I felt
suicidal at the time, but it made
me stronger: I survived financial
difficulties while going through
a divorce, studying and supporting
my son, Sphume, now 15, who has
a demanding brain condition.”
Giving back: “I started charity work by
supporting orphanages as an intern at
Durban’s Prince Mshiyeni Memorial
Hospital. I began Sinomusanothando
(“We have love and generosity”)
to thank God for saving me
from abuse, suicide and failure.”
Taking a broader perspective:
“With Sinomusanothando I organise
festivities in rural communities to
raise awareness of breast, cervical and
prostate cancers and HIV, and have
mobile clinics in attendance. I also
liaise with other organisations and
government departments to have
representatives present to sort out
grant and ID problems. I want to
roll out this concept countrywide.”
Her core beliefs: “Write your own
future, don’t let others do it for you.”
–As told to Glynis Horning
To contact Thandeka, call % 084 311 9230,
e-mail mazibukothandeka@yahoo.com
or visit sntd-ngo.co.za
This feisty doctor is passionate about healing not just her
patients, but also the country, through the community
development organisation she runs.
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