Dr Mathobela Matjekane is a medical doctor turned entrepreneur. She chats to us about the transition and her private healthcare facility, CliniMed. By Kwanele Mathebula
I was born and raised in Tzaneen, Limpopo. My mother left her nursing career to open a clothing factory. And, my father left the financial services industry to open a mini supermarket. This inspired me to follow in their footsteps, and pursue my passion of helping people and making a difference in my community. So, I studied medicine, and became a doctor.
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I ventured into entrepreneurship after finishing my service for the public health system. After a few years of working as senior medical officer and community doctor, I decided to do something that would fulfill my entrepreneurial aspirations. I began exploring the various opportunities that the medical field had to offer, and opened my private practice – CliniMed. I have spent the past 11 years building it into the success it is today.
Running CliniMed has come with challenges. At medical school, I learnt all about medicine, but not the business side, which has made life difficult. I’ve had to learn how to balance running a business while still working as a doctor. This has taught me to not dwell on the past, but to learn what I can from every situation.
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Fulfilling my entrepreneurial goals has been a huge career highlight. I currently have 3 practices – in Khayelitsha, Mandalay (Mitchell’s Plain) and Parklands. With the increasing number of people who are conscious of their appearances, I have now also ventured into aesthetics which has been great for the business.