Doctor Masonwabe Makrexeni’s life is testimony that your background does not determine where you end up in life.
The eMpindweni-born paediatric cardiologist shares his struggles of becoming a doctor and finding meaning to life in his new book titled, Finding a Purpose in Life (My Journey).
“Growing up I never thought I’d become a doctor. After matric I didn’t apply for higher education. There were many people in my village who had Grade 12 and didn’t go to university, it was normal,” he said.
When Makrexeni’s outstanding matric results came out in 2000, his school teachers encouraged him to study medicine at Walter Sisulu University, then known as the University of Transkei.
“They drove with me to Unitra and even paid my application fee, but unfortunately the medicine department had already done interviews for that academic year. I had to apply for 2001,” he said.
Makrexeni said he was amazed that he did not end up in jail during his gap year.
“We did a lot of things during that year. We robbed someone and we were chased by police, one of my friends got shot.
“Anything could have happened to me but God had a plan for my life,” he said.
After a year of doing nothing, in 2001 Makrexeni started his journey as a medical student.
“It was not easy. I didn’t have money for registration and every year I had to go to the NFSAS offices.
“What I am grateful for is that during that time I met people who introduced me to the Lord. I got saved [as a reborn Christian] and even though things were hard, I had motivation and a lot of positive people around me,” he said.
The PE-based Dora Nginza Hospital paediatric cardiologist said he wrote his book to help encourage the youth to not let their backgrounds define them.
“A lot of young people are broken and it’s not necessarily from poverty, absent fathers or being neglected at birth.
“I want them to know that their backgrounds do not matter because God has a purpose for their life,” he said.
“Parents also need to help their children and support their dreams. They must help them get mentors who will assist them. A lack of hope and knowledge could have landed me in jail but my teachers saw potential in me,” he said.
To get hold of the book, visit the Facebook page, Zongezile Masonwabe Makrexeni. Next month, he will launch his book at Nelson Mandela University.
Using his story to inspire
Doctor wants youth to know God has a plan
Image: SUPPLIED
Doctor Masonwabe Makrexeni’s life is testimony that your background does not determine where you end up in life.
The eMpindweni-born paediatric cardiologist shares his struggles of becoming a doctor and finding meaning to life in his new book titled, Finding a Purpose in Life (My Journey).
“Growing up I never thought I’d become a doctor. After matric I didn’t apply for higher education. There were many people in my village who had Grade 12 and didn’t go to university, it was normal,” he said.
When Makrexeni’s outstanding matric results came out in 2000, his school teachers encouraged him to study medicine at Walter Sisulu University, then known as the University of Transkei.
“They drove with me to Unitra and even paid my application fee, but unfortunately the medicine department had already done interviews for that academic year. I had to apply for 2001,” he said.
Makrexeni said he was amazed that he did not end up in jail during his gap year.
“We did a lot of things during that year. We robbed someone and we were chased by police, one of my friends got shot.
“Anything could have happened to me but God had a plan for my life,” he said.
After a year of doing nothing, in 2001 Makrexeni started his journey as a medical student.
“It was not easy. I didn’t have money for registration and every year I had to go to the NFSAS offices.
“What I am grateful for is that during that time I met people who introduced me to the Lord. I got saved [as a reborn Christian] and even though things were hard, I had motivation and a lot of positive people around me,” he said.
The PE-based Dora Nginza Hospital paediatric cardiologist said he wrote his book to help encourage the youth to not let their backgrounds define them.
“A lot of young people are broken and it’s not necessarily from poverty, absent fathers or being neglected at birth.
“I want them to know that their backgrounds do not matter because God has a purpose for their life,” he said.
“Parents also need to help their children and support their dreams. They must help them get mentors who will assist them. A lack of hope and knowledge could have landed me in jail but my teachers saw potential in me,” he said.
To get hold of the book, visit the Facebook page, Zongezile Masonwabe Makrexeni. Next month, he will launch his book at Nelson Mandela University.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos