03-05-2025
South Africa Olympic doctor bolsters UKZN's sports medicine division
INTERNATIONALLY recognised sports and exercise medicine physician, and former SA Olympic medical officer, Dr Phathokuhle Zondi, has officially started her tenure at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN).
Zondi, who officially started her duties on May 1, was appointed to the School of Clinical Medicine where she has been tasked with strengthening UKZN's current focus areas in research, undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, and research supervision in the field of sports and exercise medicine. A formidable endurance athlete in her own right, Zondi has completed numerous ultra-marathons, multi-stage cycling races, triathlons, and even summited Mount Kilimanjaro. As she prepares for her journey in academia, Zondi encourages young people to take up the mantle of carving their own path in the field.
She said, 'You don't have to have it all figured out from the start — but stay curious, stay committed, and stay kind. Your path may twist and turn, but everything you learn along the way will serve you. Don't let fear of failure hold you back. The world needs your voice, your ideas, and your courage — especially in spaces where people like you haven't always been seen or heard. Whatever you choose to pursue, carry it with intention.'
Also Read: UKZN, Durban City FC sign groundbreaking partnership
Zondi's career spans over many years and in honour of her service to her country she received a Ministerial Recognition Award in 2017. Zondi brings to UKZN a wealth of experience spanning elite sport, public health, and corporate governance.
Her extensive leadership portfolio includes serving as Chief Medical Officer for Team South Africa at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games, the 2017 World Games, and the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. From 2016 to 2024, she chaired the Medical Advisory Commission for the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC), overseeing athlete care and clinical standards on the world stage.
Her leadership roles include serving as secretary general of the College of Sports and Exercise Medicine South Africa, president of the South African Sports Medicine Association (2015–2017), associate editor of the British Journal of Sports Medicine, and senior medical educator for World Rugby. She is also on the international faculty of the IOC's Advanced Team Physician Course.
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