“I Never Saw It As Lowering My Dignity”: KZN Domestic Worker Becomes a Medical Doctor After 10 Years

• A young woman from Phoenix, Durban, worked part-time as a domestic worker for over 10 years to fund her medical studies
• Dr Pamela Mahlangu graduated as a medical doctor in 2017 at just 29 years old and now works as a medical officer at Tembisa Hospital
• South Africans praised her incredible journey from washing dishes to healing lives, calling her story proof that no dream is too big and every challenge can fuel greatness

A young woman from Durban has inspired thousands of South Africans after her incredible journey from domestic worker to medical doctor went viral.

The Girl Empowerment Alliance for Change shared Dr Pamela Mahlangu's story on the 17 of August on their Facebook page, showing how she worked part-time as a domestic helper for over 10 years to fund her medical studies.

Raised in Phoenix, Durban, Dr Mahlangu studied full-time at the University of KwaZulu-Natal whilst working as a domestic worker to pay for uniforms, stationery, and textbooks. She never viewed the work as demeaning, saying:

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"I never saw it as lowering my dignity... It helped me buy uniforms, stationery, textbooks."

Her hard work paid off when she graduated from medical school in 2017. Today, at 29, she works as a medical officer at Tembisa Hospital and holds a Diploma in HIV Medicine from the College of Medicine South Africa. The post described her transformation beautifully:

"Dr Pamela Mahlangu, whose hands were once meant for washing dishes—but were destined to heal lives."

Mzansi celebrates domestic workers' medical achievement

@Beverly Luthuli gushed:

"Yesss, Dr Mahlangu, well done, your journey from a domestic worker to a medical doctor is a testament to your strength and perseverance. I'm so proud of you! 🙌"

@Tebello Moradi-Wa Koeneng wrote:

"Meh Llow, please read this inspiration dear... You will make it too... It's never too late aker plus you are too young❤❤❤"

@William Bukie Nyepetsi shared:

"Most relevant and inspirational ❤️🙏"

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@Wisani Mkansi added:

"Wow, guys, this shows you can do it!"

@Conny Sibiya noted:

"Big up girl."

@Zodwa Sibanyoni commented:

"Nice one."

How to become a medical doctor in South Africa

According to experts at Intercare, becoming a medical doctor in South Africa requires completing a National Senior Certificate with passes in at least four of seven subjects with a minimum level of four.

Students must then complete five to six years of medical study without failure, followed by a 24-month internship rotating between different disciplines and a year of paid community service. After qualifying, doctors can work in public or private sectors or establish their practice.

View the Facebook post below:

Other stories about domestic workers

• Briefly News recently reported on a Johannesburg domestic worker who shared an emotional video supporting her friend with stage 4 cancer, but her promise to help in solidarity left followers reaching for their wallets.
• A popular domestic worker's comedic skit about serving herself a massive meal had Mzansi in stitches, but her calm justification to her frustrated "boss" had people picking sides in the comments.
• A family surprised their domestic worker with a heartfelt birthday celebration that left her speechless, but their thoughtful gesture revealed something beautiful about how they see her.

Source: Briefly News