Dr Lelethu Bango is a qualified neurosurgeon at Life Rosepark Hospital with a background in both public and private healthcare. Passionate about patient care and continuous improvement, he balances complex surgeries with the demands of private practice, while maintaining a strong connection to community health outcomes.
Dr Lelethu Bango, a neurosurgeon at Life Rosepark Hospital, officially entered the field of neurosurgery during his community service year at the former Kimberley Hospital. Although it was not his first choice, the experience led him to pursue the specialty full-time.
“The Free State Department of Health advised me to start studying neurosurgery because I was managing patients independently when senior staff were unavailable,” Dr Lelethu said.
He later moved to Bloemfontein and joined the neurosurgery training programme as a supernumerary. His training was extended due to delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. He qualified as a neurosurgeon in 2021 and worked in the public sector before entering private practice.
Dr Lelethu says he is motivated by his strong interest in the field. “I enjoy every moment spent being a neurosurgeon. I can’t see myself doing anything else,” he said.
Although relatively new to private practice, he said one key lesson has been the importance of administrative diligence. “You have to stay on top of your admin. But if you enjoy the work, it doesn’t feel like work,” said Dr Lelethu.
He does not define success by traditional metrics. “Success for me is about constant self-improvement,” he said, referencing an approach similar to actor Matthew McConaughey’s idea of pursuing one’s future self.
Dr Lelethu credits several mentors for influencing his development. “Dr Taleb in Kimberley introduced me to neurosurgery. In Bloemfontein, I received support from various seniors. Currently, Dr P. Louw, Dr P. van Aardt, and Dr Dan Hugo have been especially influential,” he said.
His daily routine includes early patient handovers, surgeries, consultations, and administrative work. “My day usually starts at 07:00 and ends when the work is done. Days with meetings tend to be longer due to the extra administrative demands,” he said.
Asked about advice for those entering the field, Dr Lelethu said, “It’s a lot of hard work. You need a strong and understanding support system. Most of your time will be spent studying or working, and when you’re not, you’ll be recovering.”
Balancing professional and personal life remains difficult. “I try to be present in the moment, whether at work or during leisure, but the balance heavily favours work,” he said.
Dr Lelethu also emphasised the role of community in his work. “The goal is to help people return to their communities as functioning members of society. A healthy individual contributes to a healthy community,” he said.
He has wanted to be a doctor since childhood and says he is satisfied with finding a specialty he enjoys. Outside of work, Dr Lelethu enjoys sports and has a background in music. “I played the euphonium in high school and studied music theory,” he said.
Get in touch:
051 492 5414 / drbbango@gmail.com
Text: JUSTINE FORTUIN / Photograph: SUPPLIED
