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28 December 2020 | Story André Damons | Photo Supplied
Dr James Fortein
Dr James Fortein, who had to overcome multiple failures and almost quit his dream, is now a qualified cardiologist after passing his final examination in August 2020.  

Major achievement 
 
Says a proud Dr Fortein: “It is a relief to have qualified as a cardiologist. This is a major achievement for me and my family. I can make a difference in many ways through this qualification. It is a blessing to be entrusted with a gift that can affect humanity.” 

According to him, his journey started in Grade 11 when he had already made the decision to improve his life. However, it was not an easy road. He grew up in a single-parent home with limited resources and role models. An all-inclusive bursary was withdrawn after he obtained a D symbol in Mathematics (higher grade) in Grade 12. Dr Fortein, who at the time wanted to study engineering, was forced to work in retail for a year while he improved his Mathematics mark. 

He called this his ‘gap year’.

On becoming medical doctor

“I registered for a BComm (Human Resource Management) at the University of the Free State.  I enjoyed it and did well. I stayed in House Khayalami, where I met three medical students who inspired me through their hard work and dedication. They are now all UFS-qualified doctors. I attended some of their discussions and later changed my course, applied for Medicine and was accepted,” explains Dr Fortein. 

Overcoming multiple failures

“I never repeated a grade in school. Then I came to Medical School and things changed. There was an increase in time spent studying and a decrease in the marks obtained. I missed a test in Paediatrics in my third year and had to do an oral test. It didn’t go well, and I failed the year. I couldn’t give up and had to regroup and go back to complete my medical studies. The failure had its positive side. I was more confident in my work after that.”

“The failures I experienced during my postgraduate training were more intense.  My situation changed. The failures now affected my wife and children.  I had a full-time job and bills to pay. Failure at this level places unnecessary strain on your family life. You invest so much time and effort into work and studying and then you fail.  It was heart-breaking,” says Dr Fortein.

He was on the verge of depression and wanted to quit after failing the Cardiology Certificate examination twice.

“It was through encouragement from my wife that I picked up the pieces and gave it another try.  Sharing the pain with friends and Cardiology Certificate candidates helped me to get closure and courage to prepare for the exam again.”

He passed the exam in August 2020 after it was postponed from May due to the lockdown. 

What kept him going?

There are factors that helped him to push through. God’s hand was in this process, says Dr Fortein. “Friends and family encouraged me. My focus and determination for a better life drove me to the last leg of the journey. I knew there was untapped potential in me that I had to use.”

News Archive

UFS hikers to Cape Town reflect on their journey
2014-05-26

 

For the four volunteers from the university who are currently on their way to the Cape on foot, every hour of every day is a victory.

It is three weeks since two employees from the University of the Free State (UFS), Adéle van Aswegen and Ntokozo Nkabinde, together with two other Bloemfontein residents, Nico Piedt and Ronel Warner, left Bloemfontein on fóót for the Cape, in order to highlight the problem of food insecurity among students.

On Sunday 18 May they crossed the halfway mark at Beaufort West and will conclude their journey on Tuesday 3 June in Cape Town.

This is what the hikers have to say after three weeks on the road:

Adéle van Aswegen
It isn’t only a physical journey, but rather an emotional journey you undertake. You learn what it means to be truly thankful for basic things like clothes, a place to sleep and food.

Nico Piedt
I know what it feels like to survive on only a glass of water in your stomach – a cup of weak tea if you’re lucky – for the whole day. If I can help (through the hike) to give someone a better chance in life, then it is worthwhile.

Ronel Warner
You think and grow simultaneously. As you plan every stride ahead of you, you also plan your life ahead.

Ntokozo Nkabinde
You don’t walk for yourself. You undertake this journey, maybe because you want to help someone, but this journey is actually in honour of something bigger and you just have to endure.”

These boots are made for walking ... to Cape Town (Article of 02 May 2014)
“Aren’t auntie and them hungry yet?” Country folk worried about NSH hikers (15 May 2014)

Daily updates:
(You can also follow us on @UFSweb for daily tweets)

Day 33: 2 June 2014
13:40
20 km
Sunset Beach, Cape Town

Day 32: 1 June 2014
16:05
26 km
Mervyn and Sanet Wessels, Belville

Day 31: 31 May 2014
16:31
39.6 km
Rhonell and Gavin Julain, Paarl

Day 30: 30 May 2014
14:00
16 km
Monte Rosa, Rawsonville

Day 29: 29 May 2014
13:16
31 km
The Habit, Worcester

Day 28: 28 May 2014
11:00
22.4 km
Monte Roza, De doorns

Day 27: 27 May 2014
17:00
21.1 km
Karoo Hotel

Day 26: 26 May 2014
18:27
43.3 km
Tows river

Day 25: 25 May 2014
12:18
Lord Milner Hotel, Matjiesfontein

Day 24: 24 May 2014
16:30
42 km
Laingsburg Country Lodge

Day 23: 23 May 2014
17:32
41.8 km
Vergenoeg

Day 22: 22 May 2014
16:42
43 km
Assendelft Lodge and Bush Camp, Prins Albert

Day 21: 21 May 2014
15:09
42 km
Leeu Gamka Hotel

Day 20: 20 May 2014
13:39
20 km
Alida, Springfontein

Day 19: 19 May 2014
12:31
27.6 km
Teri Moja Game Lodge

Day 18: 18 May 2014
First rest day
Nagenoeg Guesthouse, Beaufort West

Day 17: 17 May 2014
19:30
62.3 km
Nagenoeg Guesthouse, Beaufort West

Day 16: 16 May 2014
13:00
14 km
Taaibochfontein

Day 15: 15 May 2014
16:03
32 km
Travalia, Three Sisters

Day 14: 14 May 2014
18:33
43 km
Joalani Guest Farm

Day 13: 13 May 2014
17:30
33 km
Die Rondawels

Day 12: 12 May 2014
16:49
40 km
Aandrus B&B in Richmond

Day 11: 11 May 2014
39 km
Wortelfontein (Magdel and Christiaan)

Day 10: 10 May 2014
15:44
34 km
Hanover Lodge

Day 9: 09 May 2014
40.8 km
Camping between Colesberg and Hanover

Day 8: 08 May 2014
15:25
33.7 km
Colesberg, The Lighthouse Guesthouse

Day 7: 07 May 2014
15:08
23 km
Orange River Lodge

Day 6: 06 May 2014
15:57
51.06 km
Gariep Forever Resort

Day 5: 05 May 2014
12:18
28 km
Rondefontein

Day 4: 04 May 2014
15:27
35 km
Trompsburg: Fox Den

Day 3: 03 May 2014
17:30
46.74 km
Edenburg Country Lodge (Hotel)

Day 2: 02 May 2014
11:44 am
15.3 km
Tom's Place

Day 1: 01 May 2014
32 km
Leeuwberg

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