Dr Ntando Makhubela, an exceptional medical doctor from Nelspruit, South Africa, has an incredible story of perseverance and determination. Despite achieving remarkable grades in high school, financial constraints prevented him from pursuing higher education.
Undeterred, Dr Makhubela took up a job as a petrol attendant until he was offered a scholarship by a generous benefactor who recognized his potential. He had applied to the University of the Witwatersrand but was denied admission for the medicine course he had hoped to study due to limited availability.
Rather than give up, Dr Makhubela enrolled in a Bachelor of Science program for two weeks before deciding to return home to Nelspruit because he could not afford the tuition fees. He began working as a petrol attendant to support himself and his family.
While at the petrol station, Dr Makhubela was approached by the youth chairperson in his area who recognized his academic prowess and offered him a scholarship application form. In 2016, he received a scholarship from the Mpumalanga Health Department and joined a group of 56 students from the province to study medicine in Cuba. The first year was spent learning Spanish, and he began studying medicine in earnest in 2017.
Dr Makhubela’s ultimate goal is to return to his community in Mpumalanga and contribute to its development. His inspiring journey from pumping gas to saving lives is a testament to the power of hard work and determination in achieving one’s dreams.
Source: Valentine ZozaÂ
