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Overcoming failure: Dr James Fortein’s inspirational story

28 December 2020 | Story André Damons | Photo Supplied

DrFotein_web read more — 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 An all-inclusive bursary was withdrawn after he obtained a D symbol in Mathematics (higher grade) in Grade 12.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 SIFE is the best in SA!

2004-07-09

The SIFE team celebrates their victory with Jack Shewmaker, founder of SIFE in 1975 and past-president of Walmart in the USA, and Moses Kgosana, Chairman of KPMG SA.

The Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) team of the University of the Free State competed in the National SIFE championships on Thursday, June 17, 2004 at Ceasar’s Convention Centre in Johannesburg.

Strong competition was experienced from the other ten participant SA universities, e.g. the Universities of the Western Cape, Kwazulu-Natal, Cape Town and RAU, but die UFS SIFE team retained the national championship for the third year running.

The team will now represent South Africa and the University of the Free State in Barcelona, Spain at die SIFE World Cup. The competition will be held from 22 to 24 September 2004.

The presentation team members for the competition were Tsholofelo Tlhomelang, Imameleng Matete, Kenneth Lefa, Kabelo Lephaka, Nadia van Staden, Tshepo Mahloko (Multi-Media), Werner Schmidt (Faculty Advisor). Supporting the presentation team were Lineo Peete, Keketso Ntene, Ruth Morienyane, Motaung Mathaba, Tshireletso Seekoe, Peter Letsoalo, Obakeng Msuthwana, Tshepiso Lebentle, JC Langeveldt and Michelle Stanley.

SIFE is a world-wide non-profit organisation with the express aim of encouraging students to spread their business knowledge - gained in the classroom - to the community, to promote and expand the principles of free enterprise.( www.sife.org )

The criteria by which SIFE-projects are measured are the following:

• How free markets work in the global economy.
• How entrepreneurs succeed by identifying a market need and then profitably producing and marketing a product or service to fill that need.
• The personal entrepreneurial, communications, technology and financial management skills needed to successfully compete.
• Practicing business in an ethical and socially responsible manner that supports the principles of a market economy.
• Measuring the results of projects, utilizing mass media and the Internet, involving non-business majors and utilizing a Business Advisory Board, communicating the program through a written report and verbal presentation.

The UFS’ SIFE-team’s presentation complied with all the above mentioned criteria. SIFE UFS’ education drive stretched from primary school learners, to adults who had been working for thirty years – this diverse group was taught about the free market system and its value in the global village. Business ethics and basic business principles were communicated in a fun and interactive way to learners. High-level business advice was given to entrepreneurs who started new projects, e.g. a brick-maker, and marketing advice were given to existing businesses in need of expansion.

If you are interested in helping SIFE UFS achieve its goals, e-mail Werner Schmidt at
schmidtw.ekw@mail.uovs.ac.za or phone him at 051 – 401 3376.

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