A journey of persistence, purpose and public health

For Adivhaho Nevhusenga, the road to medicine has been shaped by curiosity, resilience and a deep commitment to improving health in communities.

After completing a Bachelor of Science degree in Dietetics at the University of Limpopo in 2021, she went on to complete community service in rural areas. There, she worked directly with clinics and communities, supporting healthcare delivery in under-resourced regions, experiences that broadened her view of health beyond individual treatment.

“I developed a deep interest in the broader systems that influence health outcomes,” she says.

Wanting to explore those systems more deeply, Adivhaho enrolled at the University of Pretoria (UP) for the UPOnline Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health. Her initial aim was to prepare for a future Master’s degree, while strengthening her understanding of population-level health challenges, epidemiology, health policy and prevention strategies.

Expanding access to healthcare

“Public health felt like the perfect bridge between my nutrition background and my passion for improving health equity,” she explains.

Public health, she explains, gave her a broader lens on care and strengthened her long-term ambitions in the health sector.

That foundation has now carried her into a new chapter. This year, she is registered as a medical student at the University of Pretoria, the realisation of a dream she has carried for many years.

“I’ve always dreamed of becoming a doctor,” she says. Inspired by the clinicians she encountered during her training, she recalls thinking, “That could be me one day.”

The journey was not easy. Facing fierce competition and multiple unsuccessful applications, she refused to abandon her goal. “For me, age is just a number; the goal has always been to become a doctor and serve communities directly at the clinical level.”

She believes her public health studies strengthened both her resolve and her readiness for this next chapter. “The public health diploma strengthened my resolve and gave me new perspectives that I believe will make me a better doctor.”

Studying at the University of Pretoria

Studying through UPOnline proved to be a turning point in other ways, too. The flexibility of the programme allowed her to continue working and managing personal responsibilities while advancing academically.

“The flexibility of UPOnline has been transformative,” she says. “Being able to study at my own pace allowed me to balance work, personal responsibilities, and academics effectively.”

She also highlights the importance of support structures. “I appreciated having dedicated tutors always available to assist whenever I needed clarification or support.”

Beyond logistics, the diploma reshaped how she thinks about healthcare in South Africa and globally. She began to view health challenges through a systems lens, considering social determinants, policy and prevention alongside clinical care.

“It taught me that effective healthcare isn’t just about treating illness but preventing it, strengthening health systems, and addressing root causes,” she reflects.

A purpose-driven journey 

As she begins her medical studies, Adivhaho is excited to integrate this broader perspective into her training. “Understanding population health will make me a more compassionate, effective, and well-rounded doctor.”

Her advice to others considering public health or further studies in healthcare is rooted in her own experience: persistence matters.

“Don’t be discouraged by setbacks or non-traditional paths, persistence pays off,” she says. “Choose flexible programmes like UPOnline if you’re working, they allow you to grow without sacrificing your current responsibilities.”

She hopes her story encourages fellow UPOnline students to trust their journeys, even when the route feels uncertain.

“My path hasn’t been linear, with rejections, delays, and detours, but each experience built resilience and clarity,” she says. “UPOnline’s Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health wasn’t just a qualification, it was a turning point that boosted my confidence.”

For Adivhaho, this next step into medicine is more than an academic milestone; it is the continuation of a purpose-driven journey, shaped by learning, perseverance and a desire to give back to the communities that inspired her.