Bertha Gxowa Hospital in Germiston made a historical move last year when it appointed the youngest hospital CEO in South Africa, Dr Nokwe Themba Mtshali-Hadebe.  The University of KwaZulu-Natal graduate heads a team of 767 staff members. Before joining the hospital, Dr Mtshali-Hadebe worked for Metropolitan Life. She left to take the position of clinical manager at Far East Rand Hospital. She has an MBA degree, is married and has a three-year-old son. (Talk about an all rounder!)

She admits that despite courageous efforts to transform the health system in South Africa, the shadow of apartheid reflects on the racial and geographic disparities in access to health-care services.

“As black people, as black women, we’re not seen as good enough. We need to do that much extra to prove ourselves.”

For more on this trail blazing black female, watch this interview below.

Sources:

• http://www.thenewage.co.za/youngest-hospital-ceo-in-sa-dr-mtshali-hadebe/
• http://www.iol.co.za/lifestyle/health/youngest-hospital-ceo-cracks-it-10215287
• http://www.destinyconnect.com/2016/05/24/sa-youngest-hospital-ceo-chats-us/