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#UFSWomen: Dr Samantha Potgieter – in the front line of the fight against COVID-19

16 August 2021 | Story Dr Cindé Greyling | Photo Supplied

Dr Samantha Potgieter new — Dr Samantha Potgieter – in the front line of the fight against COVID-19 .

Dr Samantha Potgieter is an infectious disease expert at the Universitas Academic Hospital and affiliated Lecturer in the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of the Free State (UFS). She was also the first health-care worker to receive the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in the Free State. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, her main focus was on complicated HIV and drug-resistant TB as well as hospital-acquired infections. Since the emergence of COVID-19, she has been managing the COVID-19 clinical response at Universitas.

What is the best thing about your job?
I work in an amazing team with colleagues who, after 14 years, I can say have become friends.

What is the best and worst decision you have ever made?

Marrying the person that I did is by far the best decision I have ever made. And I must be honest, I regret very few of my decisions. Even the bad ones have turned out to be learning opportunities.

What was/is the biggest challenge of your career?

Navigating the COVID-19 pandemic as an infectious disease physician was by far the biggest challenge of my career. It was an equally fascinating learning curve and an immense privilege to be in a position to contribute.

What does the word woman mean to you?

The word woman means a million different things. We are daughters, wives, mothers, sisters, and friends. We are strong when we need to be and yet vulnerable with those we love. We can be powerful but kind. I love being a woman.

Which woman inspires you, and why?

My mom. She is hands down the kindest person I know. Her quiet strength and her grace – she is everything I strive to be.

What advice would you give to the 15-year-old you?

I spent a lot of time wondering what life is all about, and I still don’t have the answers. But I think I would tell the 15-year-old me to remember that life doesn’t have to be perfect or easy in order to be good.

What is the one self-care thing that you do?

Cuddling my little ones – it’s my very favourite thing to do.

What makes you a woman of quality, impact, and care?

I am a woman, and I think all women are these things. We all have the capacity to care for those around us and to change our small corner of the earth for the better.

I cannot live without … my tribe of sisters, they make me laugh, they hold me up.

My secret weapon is … an early start to the day.

I always have … an extremely messy car (it’s really not my fault)

I will never … buy a pressure cooker – a good friend has put the fear of life into me!

I hope … that my daughter will grow up in a world where she will also be able to say that she loves being a woman.

News Archive

“Breakthroughs depend on people believing in their own ideas”

2015-07-23

TED is a renowned international non-profit organisation dedicated to disseminating “ideas worth spreading” in the form compelling talks lasting up to 18 minutes.

Lerothodi Molete’s vision is to witness the youth of Bloemfontein emerge at the forefront of technological, scientific, and entrepreneurial innovations in both South Africa and the global arena.

Molete and Bonginkosi Leeuw are the organisers of TEDxUFS. Their duty is centered on inspiring people to believe in, and express, their ideas. These University of the Free State students have taken it upon themselves to inspire the youth to “push the boundaries of society.”

The second TEDxUFS event to be hosted by the university presents a unique opportunity for students, staff members, and the general public to mingle with influential speakers from across various disciplines.

Details of the event:

Date: Saturday 1 August 2015

Time: 08:00- 18:00

Venue: Albert Wessels Auditorium, Bloemfontein Campus

The keynote speakers include: Mmusi Maimane (Federal Leader: Democratic Alliance), Gareth Cliff (Radio personality: Cliff Central), Pieter Geldenhuys (Futurist), Brian Kally (Director: Arrow Logistics), Jonathan Jansen (Vice-Chancellor and Rector: UFS), Ricardo Peach (Director: Vrystaat Arts Festival, Pamela Nomvete (Former actor and writer), Gil Oved (Founder: Creative Counsel), Pepe Marais (CEO: Joe Public), Angelo Mockie (Senior Officer: Student Affairs and musician), Philippa Tumubweinee (Senior Lecturer in Architecture: UFS), and Melody Mentz (Psychology Senior Professor: UFS).

The reason behind the #AskWhy theme

"Why is a small word but it’s a quick, broad, sharp and abrupt one,” explains Leeuw. “It is the chosen word of the non-conformist, the defiant, and the visionary. It is a confrontational word. It challenges what is thought to be impossible.”

The ability to interrogate reality is what society and economies are built on. The absence of the fear to question encourages the capacity to progress.

Motivating young people to follow their dreams is the reason why the TEDxUFS team is persistent in their endeavours. Molete believes that, in order to change anything, people need to ask why.

Background of the innovation powerhouse called TED(x)

TED is a renowned international non-profit organisation dedicated to disseminating “ideas worth spreading” in the form compelling talks lasting up to 18 minutes.

In 1984, it was introduced as a conference exploring Technology, Entertainment, and Design. Three decades later, TED covers a wide variety of topics of global significance, reflecting the contemporary era in more than 100 languages.

TEDx events are under the TED umbrella. These events are organised independently, and create a platform for deliberating on local matters. The programme assists communities, organisations, and individuals to stimulate critical dialogue.

On 25 July 2014, the UFS hosted its inaugural TEDxUFS conference at the Odeion theatre on the Bloemfontein Campus, where eleven speakers addressed an audience of 150 people on interdisciplinary topics ranging from economics to entrepreneurship, technology, art, design, and theology.

This year, 200 seats will be available for innovative revolutionary individuals in search of inspiration.

Tickets are available at 0619284253 / 079 381 4126. Prices: R80 (Student/scholars) and R350 (Public/staff)

LINKS:

Lerothodi Molete- http://whoswho.co.za/lerothodi-molete-742022

Bonginkosi Leeuw- https://www.ted.com/tedx/events/10499

TEDxUFS- http://kovsielife.ufs.ac.za/templates/archive.aspx?news=276

Mmusi Maimane- http://whoswho.co.za/mmusi-maimane-44612

Garett Cliff- http://www.garethcliff.com/

Pieter Geldenhuys- http://pietergeldenhuys.com/

Brian Kally- https://za.linkedin.com/pub/brian-kally/4b/888/959

Jonathan Jansen- http://www.ufs.ac.za/adhoc-pages/rectorate/prof-(jd)-jonathan-jansen

Ricardo Peach- http://ricardopeach.com/

Pamela Nomvete- http://whoswho.co.za/pamela-nomvete-4789

Gil Ovid- https://za.linkedin.com/pub/gil-oved/3/910/892

Pepe Marais- http://joepublic.co.za/people

Angelo Mockie- https://za.linkedin.com/pub/angelo-mockie/27/56/302

PhilippaTumubweinee- http://natagri.ufs.ac.za/templates/staffmember.aspx?DCode=101&pid=zyNJm7KI%2b1k%3d

Melody Mentz- https://za.linkedin.com/in/melodymentz

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