Viwe Ndongeni

A BIG focus of 2018 was health and fitness and the lifestyle changes we need to make. We celebrated the achievements and accomplishments of the medical doctors and fitness enthusiast who excelled in this arena. Some have achieved great things that will forever change the way we live.

Dr Nandipha Magudumana

A Johannesburg medical doctorturned-entrepreneur, Magudumana has been praised for having beauty and brains. The founder and chief executive of Optimum Medical Solutions and fashionista made this year’s prestigious list of Mail & Guardian 200 Young South Africans.

When the she’s not busy with medicine, she inspires her 76 000 Instagram followers to pursue a healthy lifestyle

– in style.

Dr Unati Nolubabalo

Nolubabalo is the first black woman to obtain a PhD in nephrology. She has been hailed as an inspiration to many women in the medical field. Nolubabalo completed her medical degree at UCT in 2001. She specialises in internal medicine in nephrology, relating to chronic kidney disease. Nolubabalo says she was always aspired to become a doctor, even though she was born and bred in the Ikhwezi township, Eastern Cape. Her achievement is remarkable as she joins a group of less than 10 physicians in her field. Dr Nandipha Magudumana

Dr Sandile Kubheka

Dr Sandile Kubheka

Kubheka graduated in medicine at the age of 20, becoming the youngest doctor to practice medicine in South Africa. He started school at the age of 5 and began studying medicine at 15. Dr Unati Nolubabalo He specialises in critical care medicine and rural health. He works in ICU at Grey’s Hospital in Pietermaritzburg.

This year, the talented Kubheka was voted into the fourth spot in a poll of the most influential South Africans. Hosted by marketing and PR giant Avance Media, the poll accepted votes from more than 90 countries across Africa.

EFF spokesperson Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi was placed first, followed by soccer star Percy Tau and model Nomzamo Mbatha.

Dr

Nokukhanya Khanyile

Khanyile is one of the most celebrated doctors on social media. With a following of more than 27 000 on Instagram, it’s clear that she has successfully merged being a medical advocate with being a digital influencer. With her loud energetic voice, Khanyile uses her social space to spread awareness on mental health and a healthy lifestyle.

With about 800 000 people taking their own lives every year, South Africa recorded the sixth highest rate of suicide in Africa, Khanyile’s mental health advocates can help spread awareness of our countries mental health status. Dr Nokukhanya Khanyile

Mapule Ndhlovu Also known as Queenfitnass, Ndhlovu is fast becoming one of the leaders of the women’s fitness campaign. She has been on the cover of many health magazines and is the brand ambassador of Shield and adidas SA.

One of her biggest career highlights includes being a personal trainer at Virgin Active Alice Lane gym – a luxury Sandton gym that caters for the elite. With a following of more than 120 000, Mdhlovu uses social media to inspire people to exercise. Mapule Ndhlovu