DEDICATED to medicine and passionate about opera, Dr Sicelo Nkwanyana, who has now made Empangeni his home, is a man of many talents .
Wearing many hats, the 37-year-old physician, husband, father and lyric tenor with the Claremont Choir Foundation, believes there is no space for mediocrity in life.
Recently appointed as physician at Life Empangeni Garden Clinic, Dr Nkwanyana specialises in internal medicine relating to the organs, connective tissues, endocrine, brain and spinal cord.
‘I basically do everything except surgery, babies and women related issues,’ he said with a chuckle.
After many years in the medical field, Dr Nkwanyana has many memories.
‘The craziest times are when patients come with preconceived ideas after seeing a GP who has referred them to me, and then get angry when my diagnosis is not the same as the GP’s,’ he said.
‘Some dispute my findings, others get angry. It is quite silly because then I have to explain that the reason why the GP sent them to me is because he trusts me.
‘It is all very rewarding in the end though when you have made a difference in someone’s life. There are patients who come in on the brink of death and with the right diagnosis and medication make a complete turnaround.
‘The gratitude of the relatives and friends is so fulfilling. They treat you like some kind of hero.’ he said.
Born and raised in Ladysmith and the only boy among five girls, Dr Nkwanyana graduated from the then University of Natal with a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery in 2002 before working at several hospitals around the country.
In 2008 he left his private practice and was appointed as Principal Medical Officer at Tygerberg Hospital and soon after enrolled at the University of Cape Town to specialise in internal medicine.
Determined to tick Austria off his bucket list, the doctor-cum-opera singer says it is the capital city of classical music and is a must!
