Well known in the Lowveld for her work with the Cancer Association of South Africa and New Creation Embassy Ministries, internationally awarded medical specialist Eurika Mogane started out as a humble office worker in the heart of Mbombela.
Along with a driving ambition to succeed, Eurika has a passion for people. “In 2010, I started my studies at Tuks,” this doctor says, “and in 2011, I was awarded the Golden Key
International Honours Society Lifetime Membership Award. The Golden Key Society is the world’s largest collegiate honour society for graduate and undergraduate students, and has strong ties to more than 400 universities all around the world.”
She says the Golden Key is built on the pillars of leadership, academics and service, and you qualify for membership when you are in the top 15% of your class. “All I wanted was to work in the medical sector, but I couldn’t find part-time employment or manage a loan. On many occasions, I even had to walk the 30km to reach the medical campus because I couldn’t afford the fare. Every now and then, I was fortunate enough to have Pastor Ncedekile Mahlalela help me to travel from Mbombela to Pretoria after the holidays, something I still appreciate to this day.”
Without the funds to purchase medical equipment or all the necessary textbooks, Eurika started braiding the other students’ hair to earn extra money. “I tried to not just give up on my studies. I told myself that if I couldn’t learn at university, I could learn in the field out there – I just didn’t want to quit,” she says.
Unfortunately, Eurika simply couldn’t make ends meet and was forced to leave varsity in 2012. “I had to drop out of Tuks because my parents could not afford the tuition, accommodation, meals and transport fees for my BSc medical sciences studies. It was
absolutely awful.”
Eurika’s father, Lekios Mogane, worked as a taxi driver to put food on the table. “I was completely broken when I went home and told him,” she remembers. “But that was when I chose to rather walk around town going from one office to the next asking for working opportunities. One of the offices in Sonpark allowed me to work for a whole month doing basic admin. When it was month-end, the owner told me they didn’t have any money to
give me and gave me a small bag with a bangle and earrings. I still have the bangle to this very day as a reminder of my humble beginnings,” she says.
In 2013, she completed a community journalism qualification with Unisa, and in 2018, she became a merit achiever at Unigrad College completing her national diploma in business
management and entrepreneurship, graduating top of her class. A few years later, Eurika completed her certification as a health and wellness practitioner and counselling therapist, and was nominated as an honorary alumnus with the Golden Key International Honours Society. Eurika has a passion for neuroscience, and in 2020 she completed her certification in medical neuroscience with Duke University. She also holds a number of competency
diplomas and certificates in sports medicine, nutrition and cognitive behavioural therapy, proving that hard work pays off.
Eurika says without the support of her family, none of it would be possible, especially that of her spiritual leader and partner, Apostle Peter Jones. “He has played a huge role in me being where I am today. He was the one who encouraged me to pursue my health and wellness studies while working. He also helped me to understand the different learning opportunities available online,” she smiles. “The love and patience from my father has also
been such a major push for me to keep going no matter what. And my siblings remind me to never give up and to set a much-needed example, which I strive to do whenever I can.”
Eurika’s journey and thirst for learning both in the lecture halls and outside has earned her a spot as brand ambassador for Alison, one of the world’s largest free learning platforms for educational and skills training. This is important as she knows first-hand that sometimes attending classes isn’t possible, and you have to do the next best thing, always remembering to refine your skills and never give up.
This year, Eurika was nominated in the health and wellness category of the Forty Under 40 Africa Awards, a prestigious event that aims to celebrate the African continent’s leading and most influential young business achievers. Eurika’s nomination was due to her contribution in the compilation and translation of a free online Covid-19 course for a UK-based online learning institution. She was also recognised as one of the Mail & Guardian’s Top 200 Young South African winners in the Editor’s Choice category.
Eurika was over the moon with the news. “Being able to represent South Africa on such a remarkable platform against 63 contestants from various African countries, is a huge honour,” she says. “I am so grateful that I am able to share my motivational story with young people in South Africa, of overcoming financial hardship and never giving up on your dreams. As someone who has experienced adversity and come through it, I believe it is important to inspire, educate and encourage those with limited or no opportunities.”
She is currently representing Mbombela in the Fabulous Women Awards in the health category, where she shares her new journey as CEO and co-founder of Tharika M Health and Wellness Centre, a space that offers holistic mental and physical healthcare support for the public. Eurika smiles.
The future looks promising indeed.
