Surgeon beats a new path for women in medicine

Dr Lindiwe Sidali recently became South Africa’s first African female cardiothoracic surgeon. In this Q&A with the KZN Health Department, she sets out her journey – from her days as a young village girl to the challenges she faced as a female doctor

HOW would you sum up your journey thus far?

It has been an amazing journey, enlightening in the sense that I became aware that I was an African female in a speciality that is famously known for being male-dominated. And I learnt to embrace who I am and what I represent.

Please tell us about yourself.

I am 35 years old. I was born in a large family of eight. I am a small-town girl, born in Dutywa, in the Eastern Cape. Later I moved to Wonderkop in North West, where my father worked on a mine.

I matriculated from Rakgatla High School in Wonderkop.

I received a bursary from the North West Department of Health to study medicine in Cuba. Both my parents, Mxolisi and Nowinile Sidali, are strong feminists in the sense that they believed that as girls we were strong enough to stand on our own, despite and against the odds and societal norms. All my siblings were treated equally. Everyone had to cook, clean, and look after cattle.

What kind of patients would typically need to be seen by a cardiothoracic surgeon?

Typically, those patients who suffer from heart, lung, oesophagus, diaphragm and trachea conditions that cannot be treated completely with medicine or interventional strategies, and require surgery.

What sparked your interest in medicine, and in particular in heart-related matters?

I was encouraged by my family and my teachers. Between 2000 and 2001, I decided to volunteer at a Wonderkop clinic to see if I would like it.

The nurses were wonderful in encouraging me to pursue medicine. That’s how I actually heard about the Cuban scholarship programme, so I applied and got accepted.

But what kept my interest and made me stay in medicine is the desire to serve my people, not only by treating patients but as a positive role model for every African child.

Cardiothoracic surgery happened by chance. I could not decide what to pursue. But then, every time I was on call as a community service or medical officer, there was almost always a patient with a chest-related trauma and after seeing a heart beating in my hands, I knew that I didn’t want to do anything else.

What would you say helped you come this far as a person?

There are a lot of people who have helped me. My family have always been the cheerleaders in my life.

My teachers expected the best from me. My friends supported and cheered me on. The Department of Health in North West saw potential in me.

The Cuban community gave me a warm welcome. My mentors provided guidance and advice. The KZN Department of Health were supportive. And, last, but not least, the department of cardiothoracic surgery at UKZN provided me with an opportunity.

What do you wish South Africans could change about themselves to avoid heart-related ailments?

I wish more people could embrace the notion of a healthy lifestyle, which our government is working so hard to promote.

Eating healthily and exercising can prevent a lot of heart diseases. Regular screening and testing can also help a great deal.

Why do you think it has taken this long for South Africa to have its first African female cardiothoracic surgeon?

It’s difficult to answer this question without sparking debate in other areas, but I suppose it’s the same reason we still have not had a female president.

Those barriers need to be broken. It’s only when people see that one female can do it that they give a chance to other females.

It is uncharted territory for females, particularly African females because they are hardly ever given a chance.

What, in your view, needs to change to open doors for other young people who wish to follow in your footsteps?

There has been a rise in the number of female doctors in surgical disciplines overall. However, African females have been given the least opportunities compared with their counterparts.

We need opportunities and exposure. But the most important thing that is needed, to change the future for all African children, is the eradication of poverty. And one of the ways to do that is through education. We also need more positive role models for young women.

What would people be surprised to find out about you?

That I write romantic fiction stories, only for my friends. I intend to share my writing with the world some day, but no one will ever know it’s me.

Now that I have finished my exams, besides working hard, I plan to spend more time on my hobbies.

Now that you’ve achieved this amazing feat, what’s in store for you next?

I am excited to hit the ground running and sharpen my skills, as well as teach and transfer my skills.

I also have to finish my MMED with UKZN, and in the near future pursue congenital cardiac surgery.

What three things would you change about South Africa if you had magical powers?

I would make education accessible and free to every disadvantaged child. I would distribute wealth equally to all South Africans to uplift the standard of living for all of them. I would stop all gender-based violence, especially against women, and stop calling the murder of women homicide, but call it femicide.

I would advocate for very harsh sentences for all transgressors to make it an effective deterrent.

What are your words of wisdom to those who wish to follow in your footsteps?

Everything in life is possible. Dream, but create a plan of action in achieving those goals. Don’t follow other people’s paths. Create a new one.