A dose of humility
Popular physician Dr Peter Quantock has completed 40 years of service to the Zululand public
WHEN interviewing a specialist physician who has plied his trade with distinction in Zululand for the past 40 years, the prospect of being intimidated is very high.
However, meeting doctor Mr Peter Quantock at his surgery in Empangeni proved that even in the midst of his prominent status within the community, humility is found.
Mr Quantock, originally from the south of Wales, qualified as a medical doctor at Cardiff University School of Medicine in 1964.
After graduating he was in search of a job in Britain and when numerous short listings led to dead ends, a colleague told him about the need for doctors in Durban.
‘Durban? Is that in Wales?’ asked the beaming doctor.
All too foreign to him, but that’s where the good doctor’s journey to South Africa began.
He relocated to Durban with his wife Lin and shortly after qualified as a physician in South Africa, working for a few years at King Edward Hospital.
He later saw the need for physicians here in Empangeni and in 1973 the Quantocks moved to Zululand.
The rest, as they say, is history.
Mr Quantock, who as a boy wanted to be a veterinarian, is now one of Zululand’s best-known and respected physicians.
Along with his medical expertise, he is a humorist of note and a regular patron at the Empangeni Rugby Football Club, where he has stitched up many a battered player over the years.
‘The doctors, specialists, management and staff of the Life Empangeni Garden Clinic would like to thank Mr Peter Quantock for the contribution he has made to the health of the community.
‘In recognition of 40 years of specialised medical service, we recently presented him with a certificate and gift at the Ethical Continuous Medical Education (CME) evening,’ says Hospital Manager, Judy van Zyl.
Mr Quantock’s advice for pupils who would like to pursue this career is to ‘work hard and keep at it and if you don’t mind working late nights this job is for you!’.
