Celebrating Reuben Lefa Masia's graduation: a first-generation doctor's inspiring story

In the heart of Limpopo, Roossenekal is a tiny town that embodies aspiration and community spirit, where residents hold the belief that even the smallest places can produce giants. This week, Reuben Lefa Masia embodies that belief as he graduates from Stellenbosch University (SU) with an MBChB—fulfilling a lifelong dream of becoming a doctor.

Masia’s journey began in kindergarten, where he boldly declared his ambition to don the white coat of a physician. “I never grew out of that conviction,” he said, reflecting on how his desire matured through experiences that deepened his passion for helping others.

“Serving people at their most vulnerable and fighting the diseases that burden our communities is a calling that I hold dear.”

His formative years at Roossenekal Primary School played a significant role in shaping his character. “My teachers poured their heart into us every day,” Masia recalled. “They arrived with fire in their voices and hope in their hands, instilling within us the belief that not even the sky was our limit.”

Masia’s academic path took him from St Thomas College in Burgersfort to Lydenburg High School, where he forged lifelong friendships and memories. “Each school, each teacher, each moment chiselled me into who I am today.” When the time came to choose a university, SU stood out as his first choice. His conviction was reinforced during matric when he experienced a life-changing camp at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, where, he said, “the whispers of destiny affirmed that this is where my story needed to unfold.”

Graduating as a first-generation student has brought immense joy and challenges for Masia.

 “You walk into rooms your bloodline has never stepped into,” he explained. “There is no blueprint, no footsteps to trace; only faith, courage, and the hope that you’re planting seeds for those who come after you.”

Days filled with self-doubt were met with the unwavering support from his family and the university’s SOAR programme, which he credits for helping him through the demands of medical school. “SOAR helped carry me through all six years of this degree,” he affirmed.

Masia’s university experience was also enriched by music; he was a proud member of the renowned Stellenbosch University Choir for four years. “For long enough to count as a degree of its own,” he joked, adding that singing with diverse voices has been a source of healing and inspiration throughout his academic journey. His unforgettable performance in Tokyo, Japan, before a 5,000-strong audience stands as a testament to the power of artistic expression transcending borders.

While rooted in a small town, Masia’s ambitions took him globally. He has achieved numerous milestones including presenting at International Surgery Week in Austria, completing a summer programme at King’s College London, and undertaking a trauma surgery elective in Chicago. “Each milestone reminds me that dreams rooted in small places can travel far,” he stated. “None of this would have been possible without the unwavering support of SU.”

Though he excelled academically, Masia faced significant internal hurdles, notably feelings of inadequacy. “Imposter syndrome followed me everywhere. It made me question my place,” he admitted. However, a turning point came from internalising the words of Marianne Williamson, which helped him realise that courage could overshadow those self-imposed restrictions.

“God does not choose the qualified—He qualifies those He calls,” he reflects, embracing his journey into becoming a doctor.

Masia draws profound inspiration from his parents, whose perseverance against adversity fueled his desire to succeed. Academic inspiration also came from friends, mentors, and stories that unfolded within the corridors of medical facilities. Looking towards the future, Masia envisions himself serving underserved communities with compassion. “To bring humanity and excellence into every hospital room is my goal,” he said, with aspirations to specialise in neurosurgery.

In his graduation reflections, he sees this milestone as standing on the edge of “a vast and open horizon.”

He encouraged other first-generation students to break through barriers, emphasising that they are not alone on their paths: “Step into rooms your bloodline has never entered. You will never be alone; you carry all the belief and hope of those who came before you.”