Dr Coceka Mfundisi, UP alumna and neurosurgeon, on why you should not give up

Dr Coceka Mfundisi is the first woman to receive a Master of Medicine in Neurosurgery degree from the University of Pretoria. She now practices as a specialist neurosurgeon at Busamed Modderfontein private hospital and has interests in neurotrauma, neuro-oncology and spinal surgery. 

Her notable achievements include being a member of the Golden Lions Rugby Club Medical Committee, serving as a test match surgeon during international rugby matches. She is currently a member of the Health Professions Council of South Africa’s Fifth Medical Committee of preliminary enquiry. She is also a member of the executive committee of the Society of Neurosurgeons of South Africa. 

On this episode she speaks about:

• Having the temperament of a surgeon. 
• How farming fields alongside her family as a child helped her as a young surgeon.
• Fusing traditional African medicine with Western medicine.
• Not quitting on the way to her dreams, and being supported in her journey.
• Injustices in her field, and fighting for change.

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LeadUP is a production of the University of Pretoria’s Alumni Office. Our host is Lennox Wasara and our team includes Elna Schütz and Samantha Castle. Our sound engineers are Louis Cloete Productions.