Balancing her MSc studies with international duty and entrepreneurship, Dr Maesela is shaping a bold new vision for athlete care.
Pretoria, South Africa (04 September 2025)- When passion meets purpose, the results can be extraordinary. And that is the story of Dr Nthabiseng Maesela, a young doctor whose journey is a beautiful blend of medical expertise, global sporting arenas, and bold entrepreneurship. Fresh from completing her MSc in Sports Medicine at the University of Pretoria, she is already redefining what it means to be a leader in the field.
Balancing her studies with international responsibilities, Dr Maesela stood shoulder to shoulder with South Africa’s Banyana Banyana at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, serving as their team doctor on the world’s biggest stage. She also played a key role in youth development, travelling with the U16 Men’s National Team to Poland and the U17 Women’s National Team, showcasing the versatility that UP’s sports medicine programme is known for.
She has many more accolades under her belt, with her ambition going beyond the pitch. In Polokwane, Dr Maesela co-founded the Optimum Sports and Wellness Institute, creating a hub where athletes and communities can access specialised care. She also heads CB Health Solutions as Managing Director, overseeing the University of Johannesburg Sports Clinic. Proof that she is just as driven in business as she is in medicine.
Her mini-dissertation was another milestone, addressing one of the most urgent topics in modern sport: concussions. By investigating symptoms, cognitive function, and balance in student-athletes, her work contributes valuable insights to a field where safeguarding player health is critical.
Dr Maesela’s leadership continues to grow. As Medical Commissioner for the Limpopo Academy of Sports, she is shaping athlete support structures at a provincial level. Internationally, she has been selected as Team Doctor for Team South Africa at the 2025 FISU World University Games in Germany, and has added global credentials, including a FIFA Diploma in Football Medicine and World Rugby certifications.
“Dr Maesela represents everything we strive to achieve in our MSc Sports Medicine programme,” says Prof Christa Janse van Rensburg, Head of Department (Section Sports Medicine). “Her ability to excel simultaneously in academic pursuits and international professional practice demonstrates the calibre of leaders our programme produces. She embodies our vision of developing sports medicine professionals who advance the entire discipline.”
For Dr Maesela, the path ahead promises even greater impact. From local clinics to international sporting arenas, she is proving that the future of sports medicine in South Africa is in capable hands.
Sources: Supplied
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