Inspiring people of 2025: Martin Jeffrey of Emer-G-Med
Martin Jeffrey was inspired to become a paramedic after witnessing an accident in his childhood and has pursued a lifelong mission of helping others.
Martin Jeffrey, Emer-G-Med Mbombela’s operations manager, has saved countless lives this year alone. His journey as a paramedic began at a young age, when he and his father encountered his first accident scene.
“I was about 10 or 11 years old when my father and I came across a bike accident on the R59 at the Michelle Avenue off-ramp in Alberton,” Jeffrey recalled.
“My father went to call an ambulance and asked me to look after the driver while he was away. At that time, I thought that if I had known something about first aid, I could have helped him. Luckily, he survived and only broke his leg.”
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That experience inspired Jeffrey to become a first responder. He completed his first first-aid course at the age of 11 and, after finishing school, worked in civil defence at various fire departments in Johannesburg. He also worked overseas before being transferred from Emer-G-Med in Alberton to a new branch in Mbombela. He has now spent the last eight years serving the Lowveld, and he enjoys every moment of it.
“I love that we get to see so many parts of the Lowveld, from the Kruger National Park to Eswatini,” he said.
He also shared that working as a paramedic in the province has taught him to be especially skillful when treating patients, due to the limited access to hospitals in the area.
Jeffrey reflected on one of the most challenging incidents of his career. Earlier this year, he and his team, alongside South African Search and Rescue volunteers, had to retrieve a body from a cement truck that had gone over a bridge.
“It took a long time to get the body out, and it was quite a daunting process,” he said.
He advises anyone considering a career in emergency medical services to accept that, despite all training and preparation, some patients may not survive.
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“I’m not God, God is God. If He decides it’s your time, then it is,” he said.
Looking ahead to 2026, Jeffrey is focused on continuing to make a difference. He treasures the moments when patients return to thank him for giving them a second chance at life.
