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13 December 2021 Photo Supplied
It still feels surreal to graduate as a medical doctor on Monday. Dr Sibulele Sipika is one of the newest cohort of doctors after completing her MB ChB degree at the University of the Free State (UFS) and graduating during the December graduation ceremonies.

The journey to becoming a medical doctor has been challenging for one of the University of the Free State’s (UFS) newest cohort of doctors, who says there were times when she would ask herself if she really needed to study, to wake up and find that she really needed to go out on a call. 

But, says Dr Sibulele Sipika, this journey has also been amazing, and she would not trade it for anything. She will be graduating during the December ceremonies, which had to be moved to online broadcasts due to the rise in COVID-19 cases. 

Although both her parents and siblings are university graduates, she is the first medical doctor in the family. 

It feels good to sleep peacefully and not worry about studying

“There were times when my friends and I would say, ‘you know, other kids chose for themselves – they are sleeping (while I am on call) or living their best lives’, but then we laugh about it, because I wouldn’t trade this for anything. I loved it; the things we see and do are really rewarding. I strangely learnt about faith on a different level because I would try, fall, get disappointed, and get up and try again.” 

“The amount of work that is loaded on you, where you question yourself and wonder, how am I going to get through this; but by faith, you leap, you land, and you pass,” says Dr Sipika. 

According to her, it still feels surreal, as she keeps asking herself if it is a dream. One thing that she is sure of, however: it feels pretty good to sleep peacefully and not worry about studying and cases, and just do nothing. 

Dr Sipika, who also has a BSc degree, says as far as she can remember, she always wanted to become a doctor. The feeling of seeing someone get better and knowing that she has helped in some way, is such a heart-warming feeling, her heart just pumps custard.

“Medicine is a calling, it is beautiful. I love it. These are the things that will make you push through even when you feel like giving up. I also have an amazing support system – my family, and the friends I made here in Bloemfontein are now family. I thank God for placing them in my life. We went through the tough times together,” she says. 

Do what you love and don’t give up

Though she is yet to decide what to specialise in, this passionate young doctor from the small town of Matatiele in the Eastern Cape is up to any challenge she might face on her journey. She is currently doing her internship at Sebokeng Hospital in Sebokeng, Gauteng. 

Her message to other students: “Of the utmost importance is that you must do what you love. Never give up, always look at how far you have come. There will be times when you feel frightened about what is coming next, when you question your abilities; just take a deep breath, embrace the uncertainty, and allow it to lead you to places.” 

She concludes by saying, “Ask for help, whether it is academic, financial, emotional, or mental, ask for help. Also take care of yourself, do the fun things you love doing. You need to have a life outside medicine and studying. And of course, don’t forget to pray.”

News Archive

Science school of excellence for Grade 11 learners launched
2009-04-21

 
At the launch of the Science School of Excellence were, from the left: Prof. Neil Heideman, Vice-Dean: Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the UFS, Mr John Davids, General Manager, Volksblad, Ms Lorraine Botha, Chief Professional Officer, Centre for Education Development at the UFS, and Rev Kiepie Jaftha, Chief Director: Community Service at the UFS.
Photo: Dalene Harris

Science school of excellence for Grade 11 learners launched

The Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the University of the Free State (UFS) has launched a project to give top Grade 11 learners an idea of what the faculty has to offer by giving them a ‘university-type’ experience.

The Science School of Excellence Project was launched last week during a function where the university’s schools support programmes were introduced to the management and members of staff.

The project is aimed at Grade 11 learners in the Free State who obtained an overall average of 80% in the 2008 Grade 10 final examinations. This includes a minimum score of 80% (Level 7) in Mathematics and a minimum score of 80% (Level 7) in Physical or Life Science during the same examination. It will be presented on the Main Campus in Bloemfontein from 6-9 July 2009. The closing date for applications is 8 May 2009.

“By presenting this project we want to stimulate learners’ interest in the natural and agricultural sciences, give them an idea of what we have to offer, raise their interest to come and study at the UFS and let them know that we cherish them as role models in their schools and as academic leaders of the future,” said Prof. Neil Heideman, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the UFS.

According to Prof. Heideman the Science School of Excellence will take on the form of small lab and field projects which the learners will carry out under the supervision of staff and postgraduate students. An application fee of R50 per learner must be paid by the school and a maximum of 80 learners can be accommodated. The 80 learners will be selected on a first come, first served basis and a registration fee of R200 per learner has to be paid after they have received notice that they have been accepted. Letters in this regard have been sent to principals of secondary schools in the Free State. “We will also include 10 learners from disadvantaged rural schools, who will be fully sponsored,” said Prof. Heideman.

“Fourteen of our departments will be presenting programmes, during which learners will engage in challenging exercises that will be ‘out of school’ experiences involving laboratory experiments and research activities typical of our faculty,” said Prof. Heideman.

Five other schools support programmes of the UFS were also presented during last week’s launch function. They were the Itjhoriseng Project, which is a skills development course in Mathematics and Physical Sciences for teachers in the Further Education phase; the Science for the Future Project that aims to encourage more learners to enter into science-related studies and careers; the Qwaqwa School Support Programme that aims to improve the year-end results of Grade 12 learners and a project by the South African Foundation for Economic and Financial Education (SAFEFE) and the National Council of Economic Education (NCEE),which aims to improve the economic and financial literacy of teachers.

“The university’s role in the development of teachers and learners in various subject fields has increased tremendously over the past couple of years. Learners are our students of the future. As a university we must do as much as we can to equip them and their teachers with the necessary skills to better themselves,” said Rev. Kiepie Jaftha, Chief Director: Community Service at the UFS at the launch of the Science Schools for Excellence Project.

Media Release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@ufs.ac.za  
20 April 2009

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