Greetings, my name is Mahlatse Danny Masola. At the University of the Witwatersrand, I am a third-year student studying for a bachelor's degree in health science with a major in health systems sciences (HSS). Although my hometown is in Mokopane, Limpopo, South Africa, I currently recite in Ernest Oppenheimer Hall at the University of Witwatersrand.

 

Outside of my university work, I work part-time as a mathematics, Physical Science and Life Science tutor. I like hanging out with friends, listening to music, and learning new skills. Because I put effort into maintaining my friendships, my friends would describe me as a safe space.

 

My childhood goal was to become a doctor. This is something that I hope to achieve through the Graduate Entry Medical Programme (GEMP). I chose this degree because it provides me with information that I might use once I become a doctor. Additionally, I want to become a doctor who knows more about patients than simply their anatomy, having an HSS degree before entering medicine is advantageous to me. I would concentrate on both internal and external factors that might have an impact on the community to fully comprehend them. I am still learning about healthcare systems operations and management because of this degree.

 

This degree allows me to evaluate all my strengths and weaknesses and gives me the opportunity to better what needs improving. Being a fantastic doctor, health defender, and expert on health systems is what I aspire to be, I am required to develop HSS competencies: Systems Thinker, Communicator, Responsive Decision Maker, Manager, Collaborator, Scholar, Health advocate, and responsible leader. 

 

My team and I will be working at the Mofolo Community Health Center (CHC) as part of Block 3 of this HSS 3 course. I am looking forward to seeing how good I am at problem-solving in a real-life situation when I work on this project. My skillset will be revealed, and I'll be able to develop them further

 

Being a first-year experience mentor this year, in 2023, has been my biggest professional accomplishment. Helping people has always been a priority for me. There is something about lessening someone else’s burden that brings me joy. I found it extremely difficult to find the time and energy to carry out my plans for the first years I am helping during varsity, but they were attainable and enjoyable.

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My Needs for Further Development

Communication skills- These abilities are essential for an effective friendship. To keep up my connections with others, I need to get better at building relationships. I lack flexibility and acceptance, which makes me unapproachable and a poor listener.

Leadership skills-I consider myself to be a decent leader, but I am also conscious that I need to boost my self-assurance to really show off this trait. This might be a sign of weakness given how passive I am. I want to work on emphasising authority while yet being courteous.

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My strengths

My collaboration skills-I work well in a team and can guide and aid those in need, however, I have difficulty in task delegation and tend to take on more responsibility than necessary which could lead to burnout.

Systems thinking skills-I can take complicated issues and simplify them so that everyone can understand them, which will lead to all-encompassing solutions.