LISTEN: Tongaat surgeon: Women shouldn't have to choose career over family
Dr Kirthi Ramdhani, a Tongaat-born surgeon who made history as Africa's first dual-qualified in paediatric and plastic and reconstructive surgery, says becoming a wife and mother made her a better doctor.
A Tongaat-born surgeon says her greatest achievement isn't about making history, it's proving that women don't have to choose between their careers and having a family.
"I hope that this tells young women that they don't have to choose between having an extraordinary career and having a meaningful personal life," says Dr Kirthi Ramdhani.
Ramdhani made headlines recently, after she became the first surgeon in Africa to qualify in both paediatric, and plastic and reconstructive surgery.
Speaking ahead of Women's Day, she says it's a milestone she shares with family, mentors and colleagues who supported her through years of demanding specialist training.
Dr Ramdhani says women in medicine still face a unique challenge.
"For a long time, there's been a perception that to succeed in surgery you had to sacrifice something else. I don't believe that to be true. Becoming a wife and a mother has made me a better surgeon.
"In many ways, becoming a wife and mother has made me a better surgeon. It has given me perspective, empathy and a much deeper appreciation of what families place in our hands, every time they entrust us with the care of their child."
She hopes her journey inspires more young women to pursue careers in surgery, while helping build a profession defined by mentorship, collaboration and compassion.
Breaking barriers in African surgery
Ramdhani uses her dual expertise to care for children with complex surgical conditions.
From helping children breathe, eat and speak to rebuilding smiles and confidence, she says every operation is about giving young patients the chance to live more fuller, dignified lives.
Despite experiencing workplace bullying early in her career, Dr Ramdhani says she refused to let her future be determined by someone else's behaviour.
She says it was one of her greatest challenges and left her questioning whether she belonged in medicine.
"Some people will admire you and some people won't, and neither should determine how you see yourself.
"At some point you have to trust your own convictions. Looking back now, I'm grateful that I stayed in medicine because if I had allowed someone else's behaviour to determine my future, I wouldn't be here."
She believes women continue to face unique challenges in medicine, balancing years of specialist training with pregnancy, motherhood and family responsibilities in a healthcare system that often fails to accommodate those realities.
She says instead of accepting those challenges as inevitable, she believes the profession must evolve.
Ramdhani wants more women in surgery
She adds that more flexible workplaces, stronger mentorship and supportive working environments will encourage more women to pursue specialist careers without feeling they must sacrifice their personal lives to succeed.
'for love, you will do the impossible'
One lesson that has stayed with her throughout her career came from a mentor who told her that, 'for love, you will do the impossible'.
Ramdhani says those words have carried her through some of the most demanding moments in medicine, reminding her that compassion is as important as technical excellence.
She says experienced doctors also have a responsibility to mentor the next generation, helping young professionals navigate challenges and build confidence.
She hopes more young women will see surgery as a career within their reach and believes the profession will only grow stronger by embracing compassion, collaboration and mentorship.
Making way for the next generation
"Being a woman in medicine is a marathon," she says.
"I want to acknowledge every woman who has walked that journey - those who became specialists, those who chose different paths, those who stepped away for personal reasons, and those who quietly keep showing up every day."
Looking ahead, Ramdhani hopes her legacy won't be that she was the first, but that she helped make sure many more women follow.
"I hope one day I'm not remembered because I was the first, but because dozens came after me."
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