​As part of its 60th-anniversary celebrations, the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences is introducing 60 future healthcare professionals who are currently in their first year. Meet Dumisa Nzama.

Dumisa Nzama is an accomplished pianist, a national debate winner and says his hidden talent is composing harmonies for music. “I’m a freethinker on a mission to understand what it means to live,” he says.

Nzama, a first-year MB,Chb student at Stellenbosch University, says he’s always been interested in the “mechanisms behind the human phenomenon” and would like to specialise in neurology once he’s completed his degree.

For him the year thus far has been exciting from an academic point of view. “The idea of being a step closer to becoming a doctor each day, is stimulating.” So far, a good grade in pathology has been his academic highlight.

Though he believes “hard work pays”, he’s learnt that it’s not worth sacrificing your sanity for it. “Put measures in place that appropriately remove distractions and provide motivation for the completion of a task,” he advises, and says he makes sure to socialise when he relaxes.

Nzama looks forward to learning the skills needed to accurately diagnose patients.

Quick questions:

• Who, according to you, is successful? “The person who doesn’t need to take a vacation from the life they’re living.”
• Best habit? “I wake up at 5am just to spend time organising my day.”
• What would you change about South Africa if you could? “For everyone to be born in an environment where they are exposed to equal opportunities.”
• Favourite musician? “Drake.”
• Message to the campus? “Do what you really want to do. Know what it means to stay true to yourself.”