Dr Kulati’s inspiring story shows that life’s biggest victories often come after the moments you decide not to give up.
South Africa (04 August 2026) – One of the many inspiring faces behind Profmed’s BeRemarkable campaign for this year, Dr Sisipho Kulati, says that one of her greatest lessons in resilience actually didn’t come from her studies in medical school. Instead, it came from something that many more of us will have faced in life – failing a driver’s licence test. It took her three tries before she succeeded.
She laughs about it now, but it was once one of her biggest hurdles. Second to becoming a mother, she says, persevering and eventually earning her ‘pass’ behind the wheel was one of her greatest achievements.
“The thing I’m most proud of is becoming a mother,” says Dr Kulati. “But second to that, it’s getting my driver’s licence. Failing three times forced me to discover a resilience I didn’t know I had. It taught me that I really can do hard things.”
Doing hard things is important. Those hard things become the stories you’re most proud of. There is worth in reminding yourself that you’re capable of more than you think.
And so, for Dr Kulati, becoming a doctor is third on her list of things she’s proud of.
Born in Port Elizabeth and raised in Despatch, she grew up embracing every opportunity she could find. At school she immersed herself in leadership, culture and extracurricular activities. She eventually became deputy head girl in her matric year. That same curiosity carried her to Stellenbosch University, where she completed her MBChB before beginning her internship at Helen Joseph Hospital in Johannesburg. Community service then took her to Nongoma in northern KwaZulu-Natal, before life brought her back to the Eastern Cape community that first shaped her.
Returning home became one of the most meaningful chapters of her career. The determination, curiosity and resilience that carried her through her medical studies brought her full circle. Back to where it all began. With the power to help the people who had been there since the very beginning of her journey.
“Coming back to work in my own community has been emotional,” she says. “Seeing familiar faces walk into my consulting room can feel daunting, but it’s also incredibly special. I know many of their stories, and being trusted to care for people who helped shape my own journey feels like the community service I was always meant to do.”
Like many young professionals, Kulati admits there were moments when she believed every step of life had to unfold according to plan. Experience has taught her something more valuable.
Related Stories
Saturday Wrap Up: Finding the Good During a Difficult Week
Herman High Learners Help Turn Hermanus Pink for Pauline!“If I could speak to my 17-year-old self, I’d tell her to stop worrying so much. Life has a way of working out. Some things will always sit outside your control, but there’s enormous peace in focusing your energy on the things you can influence.”
It’s a lesson that’s only grown stronger over the years, through nearly a decade of medical training and into life as an independent doctor.
“After nine years in a highly structured training environment, stepping out on my own has been both exciting and intimidating. Every day reminds me how much of a difference I can still make in people’s lives, and that’s an incredible privilege.”
Alongside building her career, Dr Kulati recently embraced another life-changing role – becoming a mother. Even so, with many balls in the air, she still makes time for the things that bring her joy, whether that’s attending concerts and festivals, staying active or dreaming about a future speciality in paediatrics or anaesthesia.
Her vision stays fixed on growing, learning, celebrating life’s milestones, and dreaming of the next few.
Her story is part of Profmed’s ongoing BeRemarkable campaign, which puts a spotlight on South African professionals and the paths, often messy, that got them where they are.
“Being part of BeRemarkable encouraged me to reflect on the work I do and the impact it has within my community. We often move from one goal to the next without taking a moment to acknowledge the journey. I hope my story encourages someone else to share theirs too.”
Dr Kulati worked incredibly hard to become a doctor, but it’s the smaller moments that reveal the character that got her there. It took failing her driver’s licence test three times. Choosing to move back home to care for the community that raised her. Learning that getting everything perfect isn’t as important as simply not giving up.
South Africans will relate to this story. We see it every day in ordinary people doing extraordinary things through consistency, determination and hope. We keep going when things don’t work out the first time. We pick ourselves up, try again and trust that the effort will pay off.
Dr Kulati’ reminds us that the most courageous and inspiring people aren’t the ones who’ve never stumbled, but the ones who keep showing up anyway.
by 
