(Johannesburg) – Dr Nomusa Shezi knew as early as Grade 3 that she wanted to be a doctor: she remembers writing in an English essay as a little girl that she wanted to be the first person to find a cure for HIV/Aids.

Dr Nomusa Shezi, KZN’s first black, female neurologist: IOL.

While the search for a cure continues and Shezi finds herself in a different branch of medicine, the 32-year-old has already got an impressive first under her belt.

Not only is she the first black female neurosurgeon in KwaZulu-Natal, she is one of only five black African women neurosurgeons countrywide.

Shezi, who obtained a fellowship from the College of Neurosurgeons, under the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa, said while she felt that her achievement marked a great milestone she looked forward to the day “when we no longer celebrate the first black or first woman”.

“I wish to inspire young people and women and tell them that there is no fear, that we are capable of not only entering certain fields, but that we can also excel in them,” she said.

Born in Edendale Hospital in 1985, the young doctor grew up in Grange in Pietermaritzburg until her parents, whom she calls her “prayer warriors” and “cheerleaders”, moved the family to Prestbury when she was 10.

During her formative years, she attended Grange Primary School and then went on to complete her matric at Pietermaritzburg High School.

Shezi, who describes herself as a quiet and shy bookworm at the time, then applied to study medicine at various universities, eventually enrolling at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN).

For the full story, visit News24.