Durban North medical student wins national honour

DURBAN North resident and sixth-year medical student, from UKZN, Kapil Narain is among the 200 Young South Africans honoured by the Mail & Guardian newspaper. Narain stood out amidst some 8 000 nominations to become one of 22 people listed in the health sector. What’s more, he is the youngest person in the category.

“These are young people under the age of 35 who are shaping South Africa and who are going to be instrumental in the future. The accolade bears great testimony to all the hard work these individuals undertake to make a positive impact on a society fraught with numerous challenges and difficulties,” said Mail & Guardian Chief Executive Officer, Hoosain Karjieker.

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Narain said he is driven by the need to improve health and challenge the status quo. He has convened awareness campaigns to address TB stigma, mental health, HIV, and gender-based violence and is passionate about translational medical research.

“I am absolutely honoured. This is an affirmation of my endeavours, in the spirit of societal upliftment and Ubuntu, to raise the banner of health by harnessing the vehicles of advocacy, academia and leadership. I am grateful to my family, colleagues and academics at UKZN who constantly inspire me,” said Narain.

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The accolade adds to Narain’s achievements as a multi-award-winning youth leader. He received the Abe Bailey travel award last year which enabled him to engage with leaders at the African Union, and in London, Cambridge, Oxford and Edinburgh.

He was also awarded a scholarship to the World Health Assembly, in Geneva, Switzerland, where he advocated for universal health coverage.

The Mail & Guardian has previously awarded this accolade to Trevor Noah, Caster Semenya, Mamokgethi Phakeng, Lauren Beukes and Lady Skollie.

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