• Name three words that best describe Dr. Nandipha Thandi Ndhlovu?
Resilient, Benevolent, Witty.
• What led you to pursue a career in health?
My late mother from rural Port Elizabeth worked as a nurse, and I saw her working her way up the ranks to become an ICU matron. With her successive promotions, our life at home seemingly got more comfortable, we got more of the niceties and were able to afford the kind of lifestyle most of my peers in Soweto could only dream of.
I would catch glimpses of her staying up late at night after a full dayʼs work to further her studies while I woke up to go to the bathroom, still rubbing my sleepy eyes; this made me understand the back story behind the success that people rarely see or share. My mother made me believe that everything was possible, even the seemingly “unattainable” as long as you always put in your best.
Armed with a resolute belief that everything was possible, it became a shock when she sat us down one day to explain that she had cancer and there was “nothing that could be done about it.” I had thought medicine was the magic wand that was able to “fix everything.” She explained all the procedures that had been tried on her already from conventional to herbal to even the experimental.
At this point, most people would steer clear from the discipline that had proven to fail their belief system, but instead, this made me want to become a doctor ten times more. Becoming a doctor would mean I would become a member of a fraternity that can always promise to try and make a difference in saving even one more personʼs life and hope that creates a positive ripple effect amongst their loved ones.
• What motivated you to follow the route of entrepreneurship? Tell us more about Skin Oasis.
I’ve always been considered a ‘ non-conventional looking ” doctor and I knew from day one my Louboutins and matching Chanel bags were no match for the hospital corridors and crazy on-duty hours. Seriously though, I’ve always had an interest in the growing industry of Medical Aesthetics, which is an exponentially growing industry. Even within South Africa, that seemingly has new advances at every congress, that not only shape the face of beauty but bring about holistic medical means to help with internal and external skin concerns.
With that in mind, I had to combine my love for medicine with my newfound love for Aesthetics. It allows me to provide an all-encompassing service that will give me the pleasure of living out my passion daily by helping my clients with their skin and health concerns.
I achieved this by providing a Holistic Health Centre, currently named The Health and Skin Oasis, where intrinsic diseases are discovered, treated, or stabilized together with their resultant skin effects. This type of service is currently not available in the public sector as Medical Aesthetics is considered a luxury, so I had no choice but to build a bridge to my dreams.
• What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced in setting up your own business? How did you overcome them?
My biggest and constant challenge was attaining start-up capital. I took for granted that there are multiple funding bodies within the government and private sector that are focused on black, young female empowerment so I thought they would all be falling over themselves to provide me with start-up funding. That bubble was popped within six months of knocking on every possible door, being asked for an exorbitant “gift” for being awarded funding or being shunned due to not mentioning the correct name as my “inside connection” to even being asked for bodily favours in return.
It was a hard pill to swallow, but it has turned me into a “silver lining” thinker. The truth is that with every level of growth there comes a test—you can either choose to focus on the negative reality you are faced with, or you can step back and find the lesson to be learnt. I dug deep into my savings, called in favours, did extra hours at private hospitals and doctorsʼ rooms on my days off and got to a point where I was able to understand that it’s ok to start small.
We all have this preconceived idea that everything must be perfect from day 1; we dream about crystal chandeliers, high rise ceilings, prized artwork on our walls but instead, you start in a modestly sized matchbox. With unshakeable work ethic because your every cent has been invested in your success. My personal secret has also been that my support system which is comprised of my two amazing sons, my family; including my late husbandʼs family and my loving friends have kept me grounded, wiped away the tears and helped me celebrate each and every victory—no matter how small.
• What is the best career advice you have ever received?
Never be afraid to fail. There’s always a lesson to be learnt.
• When it comes to your career and life choices, would you do anything differently?
I would not change a single moment as each and every experience has moulded me through the lessons I have learned. I believe that God integrates tasks, people, opportunities and even stumbling blocks all at the right time into our lives for us to reach our true and hidden potential.
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