While other kids were playing with dolls, Phumelela Sambumbu was busy “operating” on them! From a young age, she displayed a talent for medicine, creating intricate displays of medical procedures with whatever supplies she could find.
It was in the rural village of eMawusheni that Sambumbu found her true home. While she was born in Mthatha, she grew up in her grandmother’s home in Tsomo in the Eastern Cape. There, among the green fields and friendly faces, she discovered the meaning of family and community.
Childhood memories
“I called my grandmother ‘Mama’ and my grandfather ‘Tata’ because I grew up believing I was their last-born,” she says.
Sambumbu’s childhood was marked by a lot of travel. She often moved, following her mother, a schoolteacher, as she changed jobs from Mount Frere to Kokstad. She then attended several boarding schools in different towns, including Durban, Queenstown, and Komga. In 2012, she matriculated from Cape Academy of Maths, Science, and Technology in Cape Town.
“Being in boarding school almost all my schooling years truly taught me independence,” Sambumbu shares.
Growing up, Sambumbu relied on books as an escape from the sometimes lonely life of a boarding school student. “Being an introvert, I wasn’t always keen to play with other kids.”
Reading not only provided her with entertainment and relaxation, but it also sparked her curiosity about the world beyond her own.
She found herself wondering about how others lives and how the world works, leading her to become the driven and focused woman she is today. The power of books to open minds and shape lives was clear to her from a young age.
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Being a doctor runs in the family
Sambumbu’s curiosity extended beyond just books and knowledge – she is also fascinated by learning about different cultures and people. Being observant and open-minded helped her adapt to new settings and easily adapt from different types of environments.
Sambumbu’s passion for medicine was strengthened during high school, where she was surrounded by like-minded students. Her high school, the Cape Academy of Maths, Science and Technology, was instrumental in nurturing her interest in science, engineering, technology and mathematics (STEM) subjects.
She is also inspired by her father, Dr Gcina Dumani, who worked at the Red Cross Children’s Hospital. In this way, her love of medicine was both influenced by her environment and passed down through her family.
“His wish was for me to become a paediatrician, like he was, and later I would follow in his steps but in my own way.”
Sambumbu had always dreamed of studying at the University of Cape Town (UCT) but was accepted into Stellenbosch University’s MBHCB programme instead. While she was initially disappointed, she soon realised that Stellenbosch was the perfect fit for her.
Behind closed doors
“Things were not as smooth sailing as I thought, however. University was tough for me academically and I spent a majority of it having imposter syndrome,” she says.
She adds that after performing well in high school, it felt like a harsh reality jolt when she didn’t do so well in university.
“I quickly realised that just because something feels like your dream doesn’t mean it will come easy. This feeling persisted even after I had completed my studies.”
Dr Phumelela Sambumbu
After graduating from Stellenbosch University, Sambumbu completed her internship at Frere Hospital in East London. However, being a doctor showed her that the long hours and demanding work isn’t child’s play. It took a toll on her well-being, and she felt burned out at times.
She then completed her community service at Red Cross Children’s Hospital in Cape Town.
In June 2023, she joined the #Keready initiative, a campaign that aims to improve health outcomes for vulnerable children in South Africa.
Serving the need
Sambumbu explains that #Keready provides mobile healthcare services to young people, meeting them in their communities and using language that is relatable and easy to understand. They aim to provide accurate, non-judgmental health information that can be easily applied in daily life.
She also emphasises the importance of serving marginalised communities, which often lack access to essential services due to their geographic location or other barriers.
Sambumbu believes that providing these services is critical to improving health outcomes and ensuring equitable access to care.
“We believe every person has the right to basic healthcare services that are accessible.”
She says, the aim is to bring those services to them, at their doorsteps, particularly the youth. Working for #Keready has made her recognise that she wants to pursue a career in public health, with a focus on maternal and child health, she adds.
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