Dawn Abrahams: a young South African's journey to becoming a doctor

Witnessing her father save lives as a community first aider in Genadendal inspired 19-year-old Dawn Abrahams to become a doctor at just nine years old. Today, the second-year Stellenbosch University student is turning that childhood ambition into reality, thanks to a comprehensive funding lifeline from the Klipheuwel Wind Farm community bursary programme.

Abrahams, who secured the prestigious bursary at the start of 2025, is currently studying to be a medical doctor. She joins an elite group of five regional beneficiaries pursuing the exact same medical qualification, whilst other local students secure funding for critical healthcare disciplines including dentistry and radiography.

"I initially wanted to be a police officer, but assisting my dad during medical emergencies sparked my interest in medicine," Abrahams revealed, reflecting on her childhood. "This interest became even stronger when I was about nine years old, after witnessing a local police officer with a severe head injury who, at the time, was unable to receive immediate medical attention."

A deep-rooted family tradition of public service clearly drives Abrahams towards the healthcare sector. Alongside her father's voluntary emergency work, her brother works within the medical field, whilst her mother dedicatedly cares for the elderly.

"The bursary has meant a great deal to me and my family," Abrahams said. "It has given us all hope that the dream I’ve had since primary school is truly possible and achievable."

Whilst she remains open to exploring various medical specialisms throughout her clinical rotations, Abrahams harbors a fierce determination to qualify as a cardiothoracic surgeon. Crucially, she plans to reject the global medical brain drain, choosing instead to bring her highly specialist surgical skills back to her roots. "I definitely see my future as a doctor here in South Africa," she insisted. "I would love to work in the Overberg region and give back to the communities there."

Her fierce community spirit has won praise from corporate backers. "To support a young person that shows such passion and commitment to helping others and her community is very encouraging for us," said Sinovuyo Choco, Economic Development Specialist at Klipheuwel Wind Farm. "We can’t wait to see what Dawn achieves in the future and look forward to following her journey as she works towards becoming a doctor."

Since launching the initiative in 2016, Klipheuwel Wind Farm has transformed local access to higher education. By fully covering tuition fees, accommodation, subsistence, travel, and essential study materials, the programme directly finances the future leadership of rural towns, including Genadendal, Caledon, Grabouw, Botrivier, and Hermanus.