Nashlie Christians graduated from Stellenbosch 中国体育彩票 this week, marking the end of a challenging journey filled with setbacks, personal loss, and remarkable resilience. At 27, she has overcome numerous obstacles to achieve her dream of becoming a doctor, a path that seemed uncertain more than once.
Born and raised in Saron, a township outside Porterville, Christians spent most of her life living with her grandparents, Johanna (affectionately known as 'Tokkie') and Kerneels. Despite her rural background, she excelled academically, finishing among the top five matriculants at her local school.
Her journey to becoming a doctor began with an unexpected twist. When applying to Stellenbosch 中国体育彩票 in 2016, a misunderstanding led to her initially registering for a BSc instead of medicine. "I had asked a relative with a computer to help me apply to university," Christians explained. "In my na?ve mind, I thought I'd applied for medicine, but I registered for the wrong degree."
The university's administration presented her with a challenging condition: she could only transfer to medicine if she achieved an 80 percent average in her first year. "I studied so hard to get 80 percent, but I did not achieve that mark," she recalled. At that point, Christians thought her medical dreams might be over.
Undaunted, she completed her BSc and was eventually accepted into the medical program. However, financial challenges continued to plague her journey. NSFAS, which had supported her initial degree, could not fund her second qualification. Christians found herself in a precarious position, unsure how she would continue her studies.
"It was stressful," she admitted. "I knew if I performed, that something, somewhere would come up." After numerous unsuccessful bursary applications, she finally received support from the Health Workers SEDA, which covered her medical degree fees – though without a living allowance.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought additional challenges. Forced to study at home in a crowded environment, Christians struggled to find quiet space for her studies. She eventually arranged to live on the Tygerberg campus to complete her exams. Yet even this solution was fraught with difficulty. While buying food at a local mall, she was mugged by four people with knives, who took everything – including her phone and university backpack.
The traumatic experience nearly broke her spirit. "I thought, 'right, this is now your sign, that medicine is not for you,'" she recalled. The attack was so distressing that she couldn't write her exams, receiving only her class mark.
Personal losses compounded her challenges. In her fourth year, her paternal grandfather passed away. Last year, her beloved grandmother Tokkie died – a devastating blow. "It felt like one loss after another," Christians said. Her grandmother had been her biggest supporter, consistently sending Bible verses and prayers to encourage her.
Throughout her journey, several "angels" helped her persist. Dr Derick van Vuuren, the MBChB coordinator, provided a monthly allowance and regular meals. Her uncle Michael went to extraordinary lengths, purchasing expensive textbooks that could cost up to R2 000 each, despite supporting his own family.
This week's graduation was bittersweet. While her mother Natalie and uncle Michael attended the ceremony, the absence of her grandmother Tokkie was deeply felt. "She was my biggest supporter," Christians said, "always sending me a Psalm or a Bible verse to encourage me to keep going."
Christians is set to begin her two-year medical internship at Frere Hospital in East London next year – her first time leaving the Western Cape. "I'm slightly anxious," she admits, but also excited about the next chapter of her journey.
Looking forward, her ambition remains clear. After completing her community service, she hopes to return home and pursue her long-time dream of specializing in Cardiology. "In the meantime, I want to build up my skills so that I can become a people's doctor," she says. "If it's written in the stars for me to become a cardiologist or some other specialty, I'm open to it."
Reflecting on her journey, Christians allows herself a moment of pride. "I'm not usually someone who toots their own horn, but I'm extremely proud to get this degree. Right now, I know this is where I'm supposed to be and that it's all been worth it."?
