Makhosazana Ngwenya, known as Khosi to her friends, is a dedicated daughter, charming friend and all round beautiful, serene soul who always tries to see the best in everyone. The last child of a large brood of many brothers and sisters, she was born in the corridors of Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto during the State of Emergency in the dark 80s.

Growing up in Zimbabwe

While born in South Africa, her family moved to Zimbabwe soon after her birth where they assisted exiled leaders and comrades.  Hers, like for many women, was a challenging childhood, but she was kept strong by her belief in a higher power. While brought up in a strictly religious home, Khosi has learned that God exists wherever you are and where you stand and pray.

Always a dedicated person, wanting the best for herself and others, she hoped to be an accountant but in the middle of her first year at WITS realised that what she really wanted to become was a doctor. So after a year of studying she relocated to Cape Town where she studied medicine at the University of Cape Town.

Meeting the Challenges of Life

She understands that many frogs must be kissed before she can find her prince. Although she has had her fair set of issues when dealing with the opposite sex, it is her job that has been her most arduous journey.

‘It’s been really hard, especially when I was an intern sometimes working 36 hours straight without a break.  The job comes with lots of stress. I lost enormous amounts of weight, was exposed to HIV and had to take ARVs to counter a few pin pricks when looking after patients. I contracted TB on more than one occasion and had the flu on a monthly basis. In the end I had to go into hospital myself, just so I could rest.’

Falling in Love

Working so hard did not leave much time for a personal life so relationships, while attempted, often fell by the wayside as she couldn’t invest enough time in them. A few heartbreaks, however, have taught her that so often we, as women, settle for so much less than we’re worth.

She looks for a partner who is supportive of who she is, someone honest and loving, while also adventurous and spirited. She calls these her dealbreakers. If he hasn’t got these particular qualities then it’s not worth investing her time.

Khosi’s Ambitions

A genial person with a love for people, Khosi loves spending time with her friends, family and travelling to make new friends. Her ambitions right now include furthering her medical studies to specialise either in paediatrics or anaesthetics, but she believes her life’s purpose involves more than just a career.

It is taking cognisance that the greatest joy is found in helping those less fortunate and discovering what makes your soul sing. In her mind this involves good food, dancing, singing, yoga meditation, playing her keyboard and what she calls an ‘insane’ predilection for taking photographs of herself.

Being South African

Coming back to South Africa after so many years away meant she was a stranger in her own homeland, but over the years she has fallen in love with the experience that is South Africa. For her Mzansi is more than just a name, but an experience that speaks of joy, excitement, cultural integration, the beginning of civilisation, expansive magnificent landscape, meshing of languages and intense beauty.

She finds it extremely frustrating when people speak lowly of the country, although she concedes that corruption, political scandal and crime do taint what could be a diamond shining for the world. Having said that, Khosi is fiercely outspoken about women and child abuse.

She says, ‘there is no excuse for any abuse directed at women or children. Not from men and, strangely enough too, not from our own sex. Sometimes we women can be our own worst enemies. If we stood together in a stronghold any man threatening us would find it virtually impregnable.’

Finding Power in the Stillness

While Khosi is a great believer in achievements, she also realises that sometimes it’s about sitting quietly and getting to know yourself. That is when you are at your strongest.

‘When you’re a natural woman, you’re a natural winner. No amount of physical or emotional force can ever take that away from you.’