Meet The Lady Who Became Neurosurgeon At Age 29, One Of Only 5 Black Female Brain Surgeons In South Africa

Meet – Dr Ncumisa Jilata, South African born Africa’s youngest Neurosurgeon.

In 2017, at age 29, she became Africa’s youngest Neurosurgeon and one of only 5 black female brain surgeons in South Africa.

As a young black woman in a male-dominated field, Dr Jilata had to work twice as hard to be taken seriously in a career where there were few role models before her.

She obtained a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) from Walter Sisulu University, and completed her Fellowship with the Council of Neurosurgeons of South Africa.

Dr Ncumisa Jilata is a Neurosurgeon Specialist at Morningside Mediclinic in Johannesburg. She treats everything from brain tumours to the effects of stroke.

She also addresses issues related to the nervous system, including degenerative issues of the spine.

“My upbringing played a crucial role in my success because I looked up to my parents who are both hard workers. They motivated me to study hard, as my degree would be the key to unlocking my future.”

“I was already in Grade 11 at Mthatha High School when I decided I wanted to be a medical doctor, but at the time I wasn’t doing biology, so when I got to matric I had to do three years of biology in one year, in addition to the subjects I had already selected from Grade 10.”

“During that period I discovered the concept of a neuron, which is amazing. The fact that society as a whole was influenced and controlled solely by the existence of this structure, intrigued me… that’s when I knew I wanted to be a neurosurgeon.”

“I had to work hard to prove myself in the male-dominated field of medicine. It’s natural to be second-guessed as a woman but one’s work ethic will always speak louder. I had to outworn myself to break through barriers of patriarchy to pave the way for other young women, particularly those from disadvantage communities to serve as their role model,” said the inspirational and trailblazing – Dr Ncumisa Jilata.

Source: WomenPowerAfrica|
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