Dr. Taz Emeran-Thomas’s journey from a 16-year-old mother to a distinguished Medical Doctor is a testament to resilience and determination. Born and raised in a disadvantaged community in Cape Town, Dr. Taz faced numerous challenges early in life, including an unexpected pregnancy and the premature birth of her son. Despite the odds stacked against her, she refused to abandon her dreams.
Reflecting on her early struggles, Dr. Taz recalls, “Before I fell pregnant, I had fallen in with a bad crowd and given up on my dreams. My son was born prematurely and spent two months in the neonatal intensive care unit. This experience made me realize I had to take responsibility for him. From that moment on, I decided to turn my life around.”
Determined to pursue her medical ambitions, Dr. Taz moved to Johannesburg to continue her education. The journey was not without its hurdles, as she faced disapproval from her community for leaving her son behind and struggled to secure funding for her studies. Despite numerous rejections from bursaries, scholarships, and private sponsors, she worked part-time jobs to cover her medical school fees at Wits University.
In a dramatic turn of events, just weeks before her graduation in 2020, Dr. Taz received an email informing her that she would not graduate until she had settled her outstanding debt of R471,000. Faced with this setback, she turned to social media for help, sharing her story in a heartfelt five-minute video on Instagram. The video quickly went viral, and within 24 hours, the overwhelming support from South Africa allowed her to raise the full amount needed and more.
“I am in complete awe and still speechless by the love and kindness shown to me by South Africa. I felt alone while struggling during the early years of my degree, but now I feel like South Africa is my family,” Dr. Taz expressed.
Today, Dr. Taz Emeran-Thomas is not only a successful Medical Doctor but also serves as the COO and Corporate Ambassador at Med-e-Screen. She is a social entrepreneur, health activist, and solutionist, dedicated to making a positive impact in her field and community.
Join us in celebrating the remarkable achievements of Dr. Taz Emeran-Thomas—a beacon of hope and inspiration for many.
Valentine Zoza
Founder & CEO of Women Power Africa & Zoza Communication