"Unemployment is Real": SA Doctor Shares Struggle After Going from Earning R50K to Nothing
- Dr Nobuhle Makhaya went from earning R50K a month to being unemployed, highlighting the challenge for South African doctors
- She is using her medical skills in freelance and alternative health services while advocating for more public healthcare employment
- Her experience reflects the broader employment struggles of young professionals in South Africa, especially in the public sector
- Briefly News spoke to Dr Vince Monyuku, who shared insight into the growing crisis of doctor unemployment in South Africa
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South Africans are seeing the harsh reality of skilled professionals struggling with unemployment, as Dr Makhaya finds ways to stay active and make a living.
Source: TikTok
Dr Nobuhle Makhaya has sparked a heated debate online after sharing her experience of going from a net salary of R50,000 a month to being completely unemployed. Her video, posted on TikTok by user @liferesetwithboni, highlights the harsh reality that many young doctors in South Africa are facing. While some people dismiss the situation, saying everyone is unemployed, she stresses that doctors cannot simply accept unemployment or easily open private practices.
The reality is that not every doctor can start a private clinic. Many South Africans rely on public healthcare services, which are under pressure, and cannot afford high consultation fees. For Dr Makhaya, the goal is not only personal survival but also advocating for more doctors to be employed in public hospitals to meet the needs of patients who expect free or affordable healthcare.
Exploring alternative medical career options
While navigating this difficult period, she has been exploring ways to use her medical skills outside traditional hospital settings. This includes freelance medical work, online consultations, and other health-related services where she can continue to apply her training. Her approach focuses on staying active, gaining experience, and exploring alternative income sources without leaving the country or abandoning public healthcare.
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The discussion around unemployed doctors resonated with many netizens because it’s not just a problem for the medical profession; it reflects the broader struggles of many young South Africans seeking employment. Dr Makhaya’s story resonates with students, recent graduates, and professionals across various sectors who face similar challenges of finding meaningful work despite having qualifications and skills.
Briefly News spoke to Dr Vince Monyuku, who shared insight into the growing crisis of doctor unemployment in South Africa. Dr Monyuku explained that one of the biggest challenges facing newly qualified doctors is a structural mismatch within the healthcare system.
“Many doctors are trained and ready to work, but there are simply not enough funded posts available. Budget constraints, delayed placements, slow administrative processes and poor communication leave many doctors stuck in prolonged uncertainty after qualifying.”
He added that these employment gaps have serious professional and emotional consequences.
“Professionally, there’s anxiety about losing clinical confidence, falling behind peers and delayed career progression. Emotionally, it can be extremely heavy; frustration, disappointment, financial pressure, and even questioning your purpose after years of intense training and sacrifice.”
Dr Monyuku pointed out the painful contradiction within the healthcare system.
“It’s especially difficult when the health system is clearly overstretched, yet skilled and willing doctors remain unemployed."
Offering advice to young medical graduates, Dr Monyuku encouraged resilience and proactive thinking.
“Graduates should look for ways to remain clinically and intellectually engaged, whether through locum work, short courses, research, community initiatives or alternative healthcare roles. Seeking mentorship, building networks and speaking up through professional platforms are also important.”
He emphasised that unemployment is not a personal failure.
“This situation is systemic and not a reflection of a doctor’s ability, calling or value."
Source: TikTok
Mzansi reacted to the video
Dr Lethukwenama Letsoalo wrote:
"Unemployment is causing a major brain drain, with talented South African professionals, especially doctors, moving abroad for better opportunities. Sadly, it’s our patients who end up suffering the consequences of this exodus."
Life Reset With Boni added:
"And the government needs to be held accountable. They must create policies that support doctors and retain skilled professionals instead of losing them to other countries."
Monica said:
"It’s heartbreaking. I’m also facing the same situation, seeing talented people go abroad while our healthcare system struggles to cope with the shortages."
Mhlengi Mathenjwa wrote:
"The waiting periods for patients to see doctors are extremely frustrating. Sometimes it feels like the system is just broken, leaving both doctors and patients stressed and overwhelmed."
Dr Londiwe Mkhize-Dube added:
"Earning 50k a month is not enough when you factor in building a home, paying for a car, fuel, rent, groceries, scrubs, Crocs, investing, insurance, and even vacations to relieve stress. It’s barely enough to cover the essentials."
Kabelo 🇿🇦 said:
"Seeing an unemployed doctor really breaks my heart. These are highly trained professionals who want to serve their country, but the system doesn’t support them, and it’s devastating to watch."
I_am_MaShozi wrote:
"This platform should be used to advocate for doctors. It’s heartbreaking to see skilled professionals unemployed or underpaid while the country suffers a shortage of essential healthcare workers."
User3869622496979204 added:
"Even though there’s a shortage of skilled professionals and many departments are understaffed, unemployment keeps rising. Universities continue accepting more students without addressing the real gaps, and even with new medical schools, the system isn’t improving fast enough."
Check out the TikTok video below:
3 Briefly News stories about unemployment in SA
- South Africa’s unemployment rate climbed to a concerning new level in the second quarter of 2025, sparking widespread discussion.
- Statistics South Africa revealed the new unemployment statistics, which showed an increase in the number of jobless South African women.
- A young lady shared her raw frustration about South Africa's unemployment crisis, highlighting its wide-ranging impact.
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Source: Briefly News
