Why Did I Become A Doctor South Africa
Why Did I Become A Doctor - Real Stories from Professionals Who Chose Their Path
Honest conversations about career, calling, and life choices. Unfiltered journeys of doctors, dentists, nurses, engineers, accountants, and professionals across South Africa and beyond.
In-depth interviews exploring professional pressures, burnout, career pivots, mental health, and the moments that made people question their calling.
What You'll Find:
✨ Raw conversations with diverse professionals
🎯 Resilience, burnout & career change stories
💡 Medicine, dentistry, nursing, engineering, finance & more
🔥 Unexpected journeys (doctors → musicians, engineers → car reviewers!)
New episodes every two weeks.
Connect with us: 📧 info@whydidibecomeadoctor.com 📱 Instagram: @whydidibecomeadoctorpodcast 📱 TikTok: @why.did.i.become 📱 Twitter: @WhyBecomeaDoc
DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed by guests on "Why Did I Become A Doctor" are those of the individual guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of the podcast, its hosts, or producers. Content shared on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered medical or professional advice.
Episodes
40 episodes
"I Do What I Do Because of Who I Am" — Vinyl, Root Canals & Life | Dr Odirile Moloi
This episode is brought to you in partnership with MedicalBrief. Stay informed with trusted reporting, expert insights, and analysis that matters to healthcare professionals. From breaking news to in-depth features, MedicalBrief keeps you up to...
She Rejected Medicine to Study the Ocean From Space | Sejal Pramlall
Sejal Pramlall is a South African oceanographer and PhD candidate at the University of Bergen, Norway. She uses satellites to study the water quality and productivity of the world's oceans — work that sits at the intersection of marine science,...
From Paediatrician to Scientist: How an Epidemic Changed Everything | Prof. Glenda Gray
This episode is brought to you in partnership with MedicalBrief. Stay informed with trusted reporting, expert insights, and analysis that matters to healthcare professionals. From breaking news to in-depth features, MedicalBrief keeps you up to...
Speaking for the Dead: Dr Yaseen Bismilla on Forensic Pathology, TikTok & Mental Health
Dr Yaseen Bismilla is one of South Africa's few specialist forensic pathologists - and a TikTok sensation with over 209,000 followers. In this conversation, we explore his journey from a small church town in the North West to becoming the voice...
The Journey to Maxillofacial Surgeon: Training, Family & The Reality of Practice | Dr Zain Dangor
Dr Zain Dangor is a maxillofacial and oral surgeon practising in Lenasia and Vereeniging. In this conversation, he shares his journey from aspiring cricketer to surgeon, the challenges of balancing a demanding surgical career with family life, ...
Why I Became Minister of Health with Dr Aaron Motsoaledi | Activism, NHI & Keeping Doctors in SA
In this extraordinary episode, we sit down with the Honourable Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, for an intimate conversation about his journey from rural Limpopo to leading South Africa's health system.Minister Motsoaledi shares ...
From Doctor to Lawyer and Back Again: Dr Tsametse Mohlamonyane's Unconventional Career Journey
What drives someone to leave medicine for law, only to return to medicine years later?In this episode, we sit down with Dr Tsametse Mohlamonyane, a medical doctor who became a fully practising lawyer before returning to clinical medicine...
"Choose Your Hard": Life as a Specialist Dentist in SA | Dr Ridhwaan Haffajee
In this episode, we sit down with Dr Ridhwaan Haffajee, a Cape Town-based prosthodontist who shares his journey from general dentistry to specialisation, the realities of running a private dental practice, and what it truly means to "choose you...
2025 Reflections: Our First Full Year, Mental Health, and Building Community
As 2025 closes, Dr Yak and Dr Yash reflect on their first full calendar year of the podcast. This candid conversation covers the real story behind the show's launch, mental health challenges in healthcare, unexpected growth, and the community t...
The Ferrari and Flowers That Changed Everything | Dr Faizel Mansoor
What do a Ferrari and flowers have in common? They both changed Dr Faizel Mansoor's life in ways he never expected.In this conversation, Faizel - Vice Chair of the South African Dental Association, the person who brought Myobrace to Sout...
From ER Doctor to CEO: Dr Ryan Noach's Incredible Journey
This conversation started with a 270 Rand LinkedIn Premium subscription. Dr Yash Naidoo spotted Dr Ryan Noach one morning, realised who he was, and decided to slide into his DMs despite having zero connections. That small risk led to this remar...
Why This Dentist Loves Root Canals | Dr Ebrahim Patel
Dr Ebrahim "Ebi" Patel is a dentist with a special interest in endodontics, former Head of Preclinical Teaching at Wits University, and Clinical Director at Thinc Clinic. In this conversation, he shares his unconventional journey into dentistry...
From Medicine to Stand-Up: Comedy Psychology, the Victor Matfield Story & Life as an Introvert Comedian | Dr. Riaad Moosa
Dr. Riaad Moosa hasn't practised medicine since 2003 - but he's still "Doctor" (in inverted commas) to millions of South Africans who grew up watching Material and the Pure Monate Show.In this revealing conversation, the legendary comed...
Reality of Being a Dentist: Burnout, Success & Mental Health After 45 Years | Dr. Norman Cahi
Dr. Norman Cahi has been called the "dentist to the stars" - but his 45-year journey in dentistry tells a much deeper story than the glamorous Instagram posts suggest.From practising without gloves in the 1980s to pioneering teeth white...
Doctor + Lawyer + Cannabis Prescriber: Dr. Navin Naidoo's Extraordinary Journey
Dr. Navin Naidoo is a medical doctor, qualified lawyer, and medicinal cannabis prescriber practising in Australia. His journey spans three countries, multiple careers, and a relentless pursuit of patient advocacy.In this episode, ...
The Dentist Who Never Wanted to Be One: Dr. Alasdair McKelvie's Remarkable Journey
This is a conversation I never expected to have such emotional weight.Dr. Alasdair McKelvie has been the voice of reason for thousands of South African dentists facing their most difficult professional moments. As Head of Dental Services...
The Village Boy Who Became a Trauma Surgeon: Dr Lerumo Motla's Journey
Dr Lerumo Motla's path from rural Limpopo to becoming a specialist trauma surgeon is a story of resilience, unexpected turns, and the healing power of medicine. In this medical career interview, we explore surgical training, trauma surgery, and...
Dr Mary Dawjee: From Dental School Dropout to Holistic Dentistry Pioneer
Dr Mary Dawjee, daughter of the legendary Prof Dawjee, shares her transformative journey from repeatedly quitting dental school to pioneering holistic dentistry in Cape Town. In this candid conversation, she reveals how a life-threatening burno...
Doctor Leaves Medicine for Music: From NHS to South African Music Producer | Dr Warren King
Dr Warren King's story defies every career convention. From growing up on a Brixton council estate to becoming a doctor at King's College London, to abandoning medicine entirely for music production in South Africa - this is a conversation you ...
Dentist, Model & Influencer: From 'Bugs Bunny' to 100K Followers with Dr Rohini Bisaal
What happens when childhood bullying leads to a life-changing transformation that sparks an entire career? Meet Dr Rohini Bisaal - a dentist, former model, and social media influencer with over 100K followers who proves that our greatest challe...
Prof Dilip Garach: From Apartheid Barriers to Building Wealth - A CA's Journey
What does it take to break through systemic barriers and build lasting wealth? Prof Dilip Garach shares his remarkable journey from being thrown out of university registration for refusing to wear a tie, to becoming South Africa's Financial Pla...
Dr Hooman Eshraghi: Foot & Ankle Surgeon and Proud South African
“South Africa is my home. I’ve lived here for 30 years..."In this episode, Dr Yash Naidoo and Dr Yak Lindy sit down with orthopaedic surgeon Dr Hooman Eshraghi for a conversation that blends surgical precision with deep personal reflecti...
My Father-in-Law, the Doctor – A Conversation with Dr Gitesh Rampersadh
In this special episode of Why Did I Become a Doctor, host Dr Yash Naidoo sits down with someone who has quietly shaped his life and inspired countless others — his father-in-law, Dr Gitesh Rampersadh.A specialist gynaecologist ...
Sandton Smile, Global Voice – Dr Mark Wertheimer on Orthodontics, Ethics & Leadership
In this episode, Dr Yash Naidoo speaks to one of South Africa’s most respected orthodontists — Dr Mark Wertheimer.They explore:• His path from childhood dental fear to global orthodontic leadership• The realities of special...
The CEO Who Left Medical School – KC Makhubele’s Journey from Matiyani to National Leadership
KC Makhubele never became a doctor — but today, he leads the doctors and dentists of South Africa.In this episode, KC sits down with Dr Yash Naidoo and Dr Yak Lindy to reflect on the journey that took him from herding cattle in Matiya...
