Taung- A doctor has urged the matrics to focus on their dreams.

The 29-year-old Boitumelo Phakathi is South Africa’s youngest black female surgeon.

“I just completed my masters in general surgery. I see it as a great achievement, especially to achieve it at such a young age, because many people quit along the way. It’s been a challenge. It takes a minimum of five years to complete a masters degree and you spend long hours at the hospital,” said Phakathi.

Phakathi, from Taung in the North West, said her dream of becoming a doctor was inspired by her desire to contribute to improving the health services in South Africa.

Phakathi said although she did not have the money for university, she researched how she may be able to get funding.

“In my first year I struggled, but I used a loan from NSFAS, but towards the end of my first year I got a bursary from North West Province.”

– Sapa