After helping Mandela University claim back-to-back USSA titles, medical student Nezaan Swartz heads to Cape Town looking to add to her six gold medals while continuing to pursue her dream of becoming a doctor.
Gqeberha, South Africa (24 June 2026) – A stethoscope and a karate belt do not usually go hand in hand, but for Mandela University student Nezaan Swartz, both are part of the same journey.
The 21-year-old medical student has spent the past few years building an impressive reputation on the karate mat while working towards a future in medicine. Now, with another University Sports South Africa (USSA) tournament around the corner, she has her sights set on adding even more medals to a collection that already includes six golds and a silver.
Swartz will represent the Madibaz at the national student championships in Cape Town on 27 and 28 June, where she will compete in both kata and kumite in the semi-contact division.
Her success in the sport has mirrored the rise of the Mandela University karate team, which claimed back-to-back USSA titles in Potchefstroom in 2024 and Pietermaritzburg in 2025. Swartz played a key role in both triumphs and says those victories remain among her proudest sporting achievements.
“It showed us that we could achieve anything we put our minds to and I’m excited to see how we continue to grow.”
While she is now one of the team’s standout performers, her journey has never been about taking the easy route.
Before stepping into medical school, Swartz faced an early setback when she was not accepted into the programme on her first attempt. Rather than walking away from her dream, she enrolled for a pharmacy degree and tried again.
“After a year of pharmacy, I applied again and was accepted. It was always what I wanted to do and that’s why I never gave up.”
The Gelvandale-born athlete began karate at the age of 10 under the guidance of sensei Adré Weidemann in Gqeberha. What started as a way to make friends soon grew into a lifelong passion.
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Despite her achievements, Swartz still sees herself as a student of the sport. Competing alongside higher-ranked teammates has pushed her to continually improve and challenge herself.
“I am a lower-ranked belt than many of my teammates but, because I’m competing in the same age group, I constantly challenge myself to reach their standard.”
The lessons she learns in the dojo have also found their way into lecture halls, hospitals and clinics. Karate has taught her discipline, focus and respect, qualities she believes are just as important in healthcare as they are in competition.
“In medicine, that means being fully present for every patient, listening carefully and staying calm under pressure. Every case deserves the same focus as a karate contest.”
As she prepares for another shot at USSA glory, Swartz is approaching the challenge the same way she approaches her studies: one step at a time.
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