Student doctor Reece Govender credits his preschool teacher

“I WANT to be a doctor so I can help people.”
That was five-year-old Reece Govender’s answer to his teacher’s question at preschool. It was nothing out of the ordinary, but fast-forward eighteen years, and he is about to graduate from medical school.

The 23-year-old paid homage to that teacher, Nisha Madaree, and the important role a solid foundation phase plays in a young person’s education. “If your foundation is not solid, your walls will collapse,” he said.

Reece was the first student enrolled at her school, Amazing Kids, in Bellair, so Nisha has always had a soft spot in her heart for him and has followed his road to success with pride and joy.

Reece said, “I loved coming to school. It did not feel like school – it was like coming to another house. It was very homely.”

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“Although I only attended Amazing Kids for a year, when I went to proper school, my standard of learning was much higher than everyone else’s and I found it easy. If I had not attended that preschool, I would not have been pushed to enrol at Parkside Primary School, which Nisha recommended. My parents even moved house so that I was eligible.”

At Wingen Heights Secondary, he matriculated with the second-best marks in KZN, and his subject choice and work ethic was geared towards medical school. Last year, his hard work was rewarded with awards he received for internal medicine and obstetrics.

He has just finished writing his final four sets of exams to graduate. “All through my life, I never wavered. It was always my goal to become a doctor and help people.”

In his final of six years of studying, he is a second-year student intern at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital. Last year, he interned at Grey’s in Pietermaritzburg, the same hospital Nisha worked at as a registered nurse.

“The workload of studying plus working is not bad if I manage my time correctly. I work normal hours from 8am to 4pm every day and overnight once a week.”

And is being a doctor exactly what that little boy thought it would be? “It is a bit different. The medical field is not as glamourous a profession as people think, and you have to have a passion for helping people. Last year was the first time I lived on my own, away from my mom and dad, which was not easy. My desire to help people, though, has not changed.”

A student intern does not get paid, but next year after he graduates, Reece will begin a two-year paid internship.

“We get a choice of five hospitals we want to be placed at. My first choice is Prince Mshiyeni. When I complete my internship, I would like to specialise in cardiology.”

Born in Chatsworth and growing up in the Seaview and Malvern area, Reece is a Durban boy who would like to stay and practise in his home city. When he does find some spare time, he enjoys gardening and cooking, which he picked up from his mother and father who own restaurants.

“Both my parents are happy that I’m going to be a doctor, although my dad wanted me to follow in his footsteps and become a businessman.”

Not shy to show off her star pupil, Nisha often calls upon Reece to hand out awards at her school functions. “It makes a big difference when the children and their parents can see first-hand what a positive role a good foundation plays in a child’s education,” said Nisha.

*Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting