Felix Nkuna is a 29-year-old sports physiotherapist from Mkhulu village outside Acornhoek. “I grew up in a family of seven boys with one girl. My dad did everything to make sure that we take education seriously. So it was easy for me to believe in education since my older siblings, who all received an education, were doing well for themselves.” He says he decided to follow in their footsteps and attended every school they did. “Teachers expected me to do well because they did so well. In the Grade 11 I attended an all night prayer in my village and one day a physiotherapist, Edmon Mathebula, preached to us. After a talk with Edmon, I decided that I would like to be like him when I finish matric.” His older brother was already studying medicine at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) so his mother thought it a good idea as he will have the necessary support.
“I applied to many universities and was selected to study mining engineering at the University of Johannesburg (UJ).” He enrolled at UJ but shortly afterwards received a SMS to register for physiotherapy. “I left UJ and enrolled at SMU,” Felix said.
“I just believed that God channeled me to be one. My varsity friends used to ask me why I chose physiotherapy and I would tell them that God brought me here. Most of my friends were doing medicine. They laughed at me when I told them I want to be physiotherapist. They couldn’t understand that it was my first choice because some of my classmates were rejected for medicine so they did physiotherapy as a second choice. With me it was different! “Physiotherapy has a very broad scope. Many people associate physiotherapy with a massage. You cannot blame them as they do not know the field of study.” He explained that physiotherapy in Local physio included in SAFA’s medical team a community setting primarily deals with prevention of health problems and rehabilitation of neuro patients. However, his own interest is in sports injuries. “It started when I was teenager and I played soccer in my village. It is something that was in me even before I started to study physiotherapy. I realised that I love soccer and that’s when I decided to specialise in sports.”
Also read: Transport’s important role as lifeblood of SA heightened by pandemic
He works on a national level as part of SAFA’s medical team, Felix told Herald. He secured the position when he went to work in Mmametlhake.
Also read: GBV cases on the rise in Limpopo
“While I was there, I had conversations with a few PSL coaches. They told me that I will have to start at a lower level which I was fine with as I was not experienced enough,” he said. In Mmamethlake he worked with Dr Thulani Ngwenya, the current chief of SAFA. “I shared my interest with him and he advised me to study further and when an opportunity arises he will remember me and indeed he fulfilled his promises. I was included with other medical professionals to form a medical team. That is how my journey started,” he said. “The highlight of my career thus far was last year while I was doing my community service and was selected to be a physio for the referees for the Africa Cup of Nations,” he said. During his studies his research title was, ‘The long-term effect of kinesio tape application on running speed, agility and plymetric performance in amateur soccer players at SMU.’ “As a student, watching soccer, I was curious about the colourful bandages the players used when they play. So I decided to do my research on these bandages.” 
He says many athletes don’t know how to apply the bandages to activate or de-activate the muscle. “I have acquired good knowledge on how to use it. The team I will be working with will benefit from my knowledge,” said Felix.
Also read: Hoedspruit Farmer’s Market back in business
During the Covid 19 pandemic he has been helping and educating the community to follow precautionary measures. He has also been able to successfully help Covid 19 patients through physiotherapy. “It does not matter where you study or where you from, you can be successful. God have created us differently and don’t ever think you are above another person just because you are talented in something. “Bear in mind that once you are good in something the next person is also good in something. Be humble and work together. Unity will take us far. We are muchstronger when we are united,” concluded Felix. You can find him on Instagram @ Nkuna Felix Physiotherapist, on Twitter @felix_nkuna and on Facebook: Nkuna Felix 
