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UNIVERSITY OF KWAZULU-NATAL FOUNDATION FEATURE13Above, top right and bottom righty: Ms Thembile Masuku. MEET TOMORROW%u2019S LEADERSFunding that Ignites PotentialBREAKING BARRIERS TO BECOMNG A DOCTORMs Thembile Masuku, a final-year student at UKZN%u2019s Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, received a bursary to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a doctor through the generosity of the Hillensberg Trust. %u2018I was in my second year when I received the bursary in 2020,%u2019 said Masuku. %u2018Before that, it was a really dark time in my life. I was an 18-year-old, far from home in Mpumalanga, with no funding or allowance, and struggling through a demanding medical degree. I was knocking on every door, applying for bursaries I didn%u2019t even qualify for, just hoping something would come through.%u2019Access to higher education in South Africa, especially in fields like the health sciences, can often feel like an impossible dream for many. Bursaries like the one Masuku received not only lift a financial burden but also restore hope and create opportunities for students from the %u2018missing middle%u2019 %u2013 those who don%u2019t qualify for government aid but can%u2019t afford university either. %u2018Getting this bursary meant that I could finally pursue what I%u2019m passionate about. It meant that my dream wasn%u2019t just a dream %u2013 it was real, and I could make it despite my financial struggles,%u2019 she said. %u2018This is why bursaries like these are so important. They change lives %u2013 not just for students, but for their families and communities, creating the future leaders of South Africa.%u2019For Masuku, education has always been a cornerstone of her upbringing. Coming from a family that values education deeply (her father%u2019s favourite saying is: %u2018They can take everything away from you, but never your education%u2019) has shaped her outlook on life. She has been an overachiever since childhood, excelling in school and developing a passion for medicine from a young age. Being far from home meant that Masuku only visited her family twice a year, missing significant events and the support system she%u2019d grown up with. %u2018The biggest challenge has been staying apart from my family. When I struggled with my mental health and academics, my only option was to see a counsellor, because my support system wasn%u2019t physically there,%u2019 she said. On top of that, studying medicine required her to overcome her shyness, build her communication skills and master time management %u2013 all while dealing with the pressure of medical training.%u2018I%u2019m an introvert,%u2019 she said. %u2018But the field I%u2019m in demands good communication skills, confidence and constant studying. It was tough, but I had to get out of my comfort zone and grow into the confident young lady I am today.%u2019Outside of her rigorous academic schedule, Masuku makes time for hobbies like browsing TikTok, reading novels, watching movies, and spending time with friends. Recently, she%u2019s taken up crocheting and is on a journey to discover more of her hidden talents.Looking ahead, Masuku plans to graduate next year, return