Iron Heart - Nombulelo Magula

Professor Nombulelo Magula: Professor and Head of Department of Internal Medicine - University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine

Her Research: Antiretroviral drugs (ARVs)  are amazing and have saved millions of lives, but like many medicines, have side effects, especially when taken for life as ARVs must be. Bulie’s research is focused on understanding how antiretrovirals affect the heart while fighting HIV

Her Advocacy: Her responsibilities for the KZN provincial health system keep her advocating and pushing for better health for all. “My passion is making sure the health system works at all levels, from prevention, to the local clinic to the highest care and hospitals.  We must make sure that people get the most effect and efficient care!”

Her Superpowers: communication, collaboration, and advocacy are skills Bulie uses to fight to improve the the health system in KZN and across South Africa

Her Hero: Judy Dlamini – Judy’s PhD focused on black women leaders, she was a UKZN graduate and now is a chancellor at Wits University.  “For me, to see a woman like that her worked her way up is inspiring.  She speaks about how transformation and excellence are two sides of the same coin.  We have to remember that we have to excel. We must work hard and through obtaining excellence, deserve to be in the positions that we earn.”

Her Top Tip:  “Work hard and follow your passion because difficult times will come, it doesn’t matter what you do. What will keep you going is the passion that you have for whatever it is that you do. Listen to your heart and remember where you come from, remember why you decided to get into that career.  When tough times come, it’s that history and that little voice inside that will keep you on the path. Do good at all times. Remember that most black people come from poverty, even if you yourself didn’t, you come from a society that is riddled with poverty and if you improve the status of society and give back in your own little way, it will add up to everyone working together for the better.”