Tributes pour in for the kind-hearted ‘people’s doctor’
EVERYONE has a Dr Sindi story. Even people who have never met the doctor have a story to tell about how she touched them through her medical advice and kind-hearted nature.
When news of the doctor’s death after a two-month fight with Covid19 was made public at the weekend, friends and fans of the 45-year-old relayed their stories about how they met her.
Dr Sindi van Zyl was not only an accessible doctor to anyone who needed her time and help, but she also shared her life with her many followers across her social media platforms.
Just last week, the nation rallied around the doctor to help pay her medical bills that were running into millions of rand. Through the help of individuals and companies such as Woolworths and Le Creuset, the #GiftSindiLife campaign managed to raise just more than R1 million.
On Saturday, the family released a statement confirming the death of the much-loved doctor.
“Affectionately known by her friends and family, she was a great doctor true friend and sister. Her love for family, friends, work and community is well known,” the family said.
“Sindi always offered support and great advice to educate those around her. Not only was she a beacon of love and light on her Kaya FM show Sidebar with Sindi and all her social media platforms, but she genuinely loved and gave endlessly to all she knew with grace and kindness. She modelled the love and grace that she knew in Jesus.
“She leaves behind her dear husband, Marinus, and beautiful kids, Nandi and Manie.”
Van Zyl was active, particularly on Twitter, the platform where she also met many strangers who went on to become her friends.
Some of the many stories shared under the tweet from Twitter user @ Gert_LeNinja who asked “What’s your Dr Sindi Story?” included people telling their versions of how the doctor touched them.
Stories were shared about the doctor’s love for Le Creuset, long flowing dresses, her unfailing love and attention to her patients, and how she helped save many people’s lives.
User @Juliejacobs0202 remembered how Van Zyl counselled her sister who has severe depression.
“She had a way of making you feel seen and heard. She was the definition of love and kindness. This world will never be the same without Dr Sindi in it,” she wrote.
Lucy Makola, another Twitter user, shared how Van Zyl arranged to buy a dress and cake for her mom’s surprise 50th, but the event had to be cancelled because of the pandemic.
User @Gracebound_ shared how she was misdiagnosed by another doctor and went to Van Zyl for more tests.
Wearing her heart on her sleeve is what endeared the doctor to so many people. She shared her own stories about starting in the medical profession at an older age and having children in her 30s. Van Zyl was known as the People’s Doctor because of it.
Her family will release a statement on the memorial service and funeral arrangements this week.