Apr 24 - Jhb South East

Young doctor
enthusiastic about healthcare
Growing up, Dr Dakalo Munenyiwa always knew she wanted to work in the healthcare
sector and now she is finally living her life-long dream and hopes to serve, educate and
ultimately have an impact on the youth of South Africa.
Dakalo Munenyiwa (28) from Glenvista is a medical doctor
with a heart for people and medicine.
Munenyiwa pursued her studies at the University of Cape
Town and later obtained her Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery
(MBChB) in 2019.
After she obtained her qualification, she did a two-year internship
as part of her training at Bloemfontein Academic Health
Care Complex where she alternated between three hospitals
- Pelonomi Regional, Universitas Academic and the National
District Bloemfontein doing different specialities.
When Munenyiwa returned to Johannesburg she did an
additional year of community service. It is the young doctor’s
heart and passion for people that led her to pursue the
medical profession.
“Life has a mysterious way of directing our path and we
always find ourselves where we need to be. I can remember
in high school how I couldn’t see myself doing anything else
and I was fortunate enough to choose between commerce
and health. The image of myself sitting behind a desk, working
more with numbers than people, did not sit well with me.
“Medicine is very broad but it’s a matter of understanding
your purpose and having a heart for people,” said Munenyiwa.
Her contribution to youth healthcare
Munenyiwa joined #Keready, which is a movement that seeks
to enhance healthcare-seeking behaviour among young
people and improve access to health services in South Africa.
The #Keready team consists of 10 young doctors, 95 nurses,
a team of communicators and drivers and over a hundred
mobilisers who ensure that young people in four provinces
(Eastern Cape, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western
Cape) have access to the health services they need.
As a young doctor for the movement, her focus is specifically
directed at the youth. She believes in educating them about
their health and the importance of living a healthy lifestyle.
When Munenyiwa initially joined #Keready, she was responsible
for the Johannesburg district. Along with other young
doctors, she plays a pivotal role in driving the movement
forward.
“The young people who make use of the services feel more
comfortable speaking to a health professional that is young
and has a better understanding of the age-related issues
faced by young people,” says the passionate young doctor.
She adds that her experience being a part of the #Keready
movement has made her realise that she is passionate about
clinical medicine. The platform has also helped her grow and
expand her interest in clinical medicine.
How she has navigated through her challenges
Munenyiwa has often had to deal with the stereotype and
disbelief that you cannot be young and be a medical professional.
“Despite the usual challenges that come with being
a doctor, my biggest challenge has been my age. People do
not believe that you can be young and be a medical practitioner,”
explains Munenyiwa.
She expresses her utmost gratitude to the values learnt in
medical school, to remain professional and that is how she
overcomes the criticism and judgement. Her confidence in
who she is as a doctor has also played a vital role in overcoming
the challenge of disbelief in her competency.
“I step up to that challenge saying, ‘Yes, I acknowledge that
I am young but I am qualified. I know what I am doing and I
am still learning’,” highlighted Munenyiwa.
She emphasised the importance of kindness and professionalism
as a method of navigating through her challenges and
bridging the gap.
A bright future in medicine
With a bright future ahead of the young medical professional,
Munenyiwa is proud of herself for achieving her goal of being
a doctor.
She always had an interest in dermatology as a speciality.
“I’m definitely pursuing clinical medicine with the dream of
ultimately becoming a dermatologist. Specialising is a long
journey but I have grown older and wiser, knowing that
everything will happen in its time,” she said.
She highlights that challenges will always be there but
if you persist and preserve you will make it.“Overall the
experience of #Keready and being a part of the movement
helped me self-actualise. It is not only about us, as young
doctors giving back to the community, but it is also beneficial
for us to discover ourselves. It’s for young people by
young people.”
She advised young people interested in pursuing a career
in medicine to look forward to it, highlighting that it is a
very fulfilling job despite the challenges.
“It is important to understand that this kind of profession
involves constant development. It is lifelong learning and
you need to be prepared for that.”
Text: DESNAY PETERSON. Photo: LONWABO ZIMELA. Make-up: DAKALO MUNENYIWA. Styling: ZETHE ZIMELA
April 2024 Get It Joburg South • Alberton • Bedfordview • Greenstone • Modderfontein 13
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