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12 January 2024 | Story Gerda-Marié van Rooyen | Photo Supplied
Gerhard de Bruin read more
Dr Gerhard de Bruin is a dedicated paediatrician and a passionate organist.

Medicine and music keep him systematic and focused – skills that are crucial to being successful, according to Dr Gerhard de Bruin. He says many medical professionals have a talent and an interest in music.

“It’s not just an escape from daily routine; it nurtures creativity and activates different brain hemispheres. Organisational skills are vital in medicine and music. Both require discipline and extensive practice to excel.”

Solid background in piano

Dr De Bruin, an alumnus of the UFS, is not only a dedicated paediatrician with a keen interest in pulmonology, developmental and learning disabilities, and paediatric oncology, but also a passionate organist actively pursuing a PhD in this musical discipline.

He has been providing medical care to infants, toddlers, and adolescents since 2004. After completing his MB ChB at the UFS, he lived abroad before returning to South Africa to specialise in paediatrics. However, his passion for music was ignite earlier on.

"Kovsies offered me exposure to other faculties and their workings and helped to integrate medical students into campus life, more than other campuses in the country."

With a solid background in piano, Dr De Bruin began organ lessons at the Odeion School of Music during his second year of study.

Realising that his musical skills would wane without active practise, he embraced this ‘wonderful escape’ from academia.

His doctoral music study refers to Prof Jacobus Kloppers’ work. Prof Kloppers contributed greatly to organ music in Bloemfontein during his tenure in the Department of Music in the 1970s. “I fell in love with his composition style and feel comfortable performing his works. There is growing interest in documenting his career as a South African-born composer, offering me the chance to conduct a practice-based study on the thematic underpinnings in his compositions.”

Success requires consistent effort

Balancing his responsibilities as a paediatrician with after hour commitments, Dr De Bruin occasionally serves as a substitute organist to maintain proficiency and confidence in front of an audience. “Performing for yourself and others is essential to becoming a well-rounded musician.”

His commitment to his dual passions taught him that success requires consistent effort. He advises aspiring students to take continuous, small steps in the right direction to achieve their goals and realise their dreams.

News Archive

Student leaders' hard work rewarded
2013-05-01

Four student leaders on our Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa Campuses each received a scholarship of R15 000. Handré Hay, Estine Cronje, Tsepang Lenka and Jean Vermaas were rewarded for the positive impact they had on the student community in the past three years or more. Student Affairs' scholarship programme acknowledges the contribution of student leaders in the upliftment of the student community.

Read what the four have to say about leadership:

Handré Hay:

Handré Hay, a third-year BSc Physiotherapy student who holds several leadership positions on our Bloemfontein Campus, served for two consecutive years on the committee of Armentum residence. He was also a member of the executive council in the Students' Representative Council (SRC) and served in two SRC portfolios. "Leadership is about being able to serve. When people see that you are willing to put other people's interests above your own and that you are willing to serve unselfishly, despite a position of authority, you will get far," said Handré.

Estine Cronje:

Estine Cronje is the current prime of Marjolein residence. This was the second time the fifth-year Psychology student were re-elected to this position."Leadership is very important to me. One needs leaders in everything you do. I believe a leader should never think herself better than the rest and should work as hard as her team. She should command respect, be disciplined, an example to others, accessible and open to the opinions of other people.

Tsepang Lenka:

Tsepang Lenka is the SRC President of our Qwaqwa Campus. Tsepang, who was twice elected as prime of his residence, has already obtained his BA degree in Public and Business Management. He is currently working on his Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). "To me leadership means to serve. As a leader you don't lie to people when things are taking the wrong direction, you stand firm and tell the truth; in that way, people don't lose trust in you. The scholarship inspires me to work even harder," Tsepang said.

Jean Vermaas:

Jean Vermaas is a former SRC member who is currently studying for his LLB degree. Some of Jean's achievements include leadership positions of the Juridical Society and the Broad Students' Transformation Forum. In 2012 he was a founder member of the Student Elders' Council."Leadership is of extreme importance to me. It formed me into the person I am now. Leadership isn't always easy, but in the challenges you face you grow as a leader and as an individual."

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