The Specialist

Meet Dr Pupuma of Pupuma Eye Care Practice in Richards Bay.

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Dr Pupuma is visionary that puts people first. Being one of the few eye care specialists in Richards Bay, she takes pride in her ability to provide premium services to the residents that have eye care needs.

“I felt like, in private, there is so much that I can do. And, of course, there was a need for a female, black ophthalmologist in this area — of which, I am the first one. There’s never been one before, so I took the opportunity, and here I am.”

Establishing the Dr N Pupuma Eye Care Practice in March of 2018, starting her own practice was inspired by wanting to do more for patients. Working at a nearby public hospital, she felt that she would be able to provide more services for patients if she moved to operating her own private practice. Not only did the limited resources in the area act as a catalyst for her business venture, but her passion of wanting to be the first black, female ophthalmologist in Richards Bay sparked her shift from public to a private practice.

Of course, the business aspect of running one’s own practice has also come with some challenges.

“I’ve learned that I don’t know much about business, and I’ve been learning since. My biggest ‘aha moment’ came with the business side of things. I never pictured it to be what it is. But now that I’m learning, I’m enjoying it. It’s the dynamic that’s interesting. It’s something new for me as a medical person.”

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Contributors: Nomathemba Nkosi, Noluthando Pupuma, Vasanthie Naidoo, Faizel Emam, Thobekile Masuku, Michael Smith, Elizabeth Van Der Walt, Solomon Mananga, Willene De Villiers, Louis Petrus Nigrini, Wynand Burger, Gené Strauss, Rudolf du Preez, Ronel Germishuys, Carolyn Malan, Rudolph Dante, Pierre Versfeld, Chantal Bezuidenhuit, Marice Mercuur, Phillip Modiba, Paballo Motsifane, Ben Schempers, Jan Potgieter, Suné Van Jaarsveld, Karen Bezuidenhout, Hendrik Eksteen, Yanick Bathfield, Matthew Brownell, Gregor Rohrig, Robyn Viljoen, Gugulethu Hlekwayo, Lunika Phillip, Caitlyn Leigh and Elton Dick.