Dr Kudzai Kanyepi, Zimbabwe's only female cardiothoracic surgeon, defied odds when she qualified four years ago, becoming one of just a handful of women in Africa to achieve this milestone. Today, she has performed 100 operations and is determined to make a difference in her country.
Despite the challenges she faces as a woman in a male-dominated field, Kanyepi's passion for heart surgery remains unwavering. She trained in South Africa, where she was inspired by fellow female surgeons like Lindiwe Sidali, who became an inspiration and mentor to her during her training. However, upon returning to Zimbabwe, Kanyepi encountered skepticism and misogyny from some of her male colleagues.
"I had to prove myself all over again," Kanyepi recounts. "There were people who doubted my abilities because I was a woman." She also notes that in private practice, some patients are reluctant to refer their cases to her due to the misconception that women lack the expertise or training to perform cardiothoracic surgery.
Kanyepi's experiences highlight the difficulties faced by women in male-dominated fields. However, she remains resolute and determined to make a difference in Zimbabwe. She now mentors other trainees and aims to establish a foundation to support disadvantaged girls who wish to study medicine and access cardiac surgery.
For Kanyepi, performing heart surgery is an inspiring experience. "It's a moment when you realise the power of God," she says. Despite the many challenges she has faced, her love for heart surgery remains strong, and she is committed to making a lasting impact in Zimbabwe.
Kanyepi's story serves as a testament to the power of perseverance and determination in overcoming obstacles. As one of the few women cardiothoracic surgeons in Africa, Kanyepi is paving the way for future generations of female surgeons and inspiring others to pursue careers in this male-dominated field.
Despite the challenges she faces as a woman in a male-dominated field, Kanyepi's passion for heart surgery remains unwavering. She trained in South Africa, where she was inspired by fellow female surgeons like Lindiwe Sidali, who became an inspiration and mentor to her during her training. However, upon returning to Zimbabwe, Kanyepi encountered skepticism and misogyny from some of her male colleagues.
"I had to prove myself all over again," Kanyepi recounts. "There were people who doubted my abilities because I was a woman." She also notes that in private practice, some patients are reluctant to refer their cases to her due to the misconception that women lack the expertise or training to perform cardiothoracic surgery.
Kanyepi's experiences highlight the difficulties faced by women in male-dominated fields. However, she remains resolute and determined to make a difference in Zimbabwe. She now mentors other trainees and aims to establish a foundation to support disadvantaged girls who wish to study medicine and access cardiac surgery.
For Kanyepi, performing heart surgery is an inspiring experience. "It's a moment when you realise the power of God," she says. Despite the many challenges she has faced, her love for heart surgery remains strong, and she is committed to making a lasting impact in Zimbabwe.
Kanyepi's story serves as a testament to the power of perseverance and determination in overcoming obstacles. As one of the few women cardiothoracic surgeons in Africa, Kanyepi is paving the way for future generations of female surgeons and inspiring others to pursue careers in this male-dominated field.
I'm seriously inspired by her story - she's proof that with hard work and determination, anything is possible. We need more women like her in leadership roles, paving the way for others and breaking down barriers. And I love that she's now mentoring other trainees and setting up a foundation to support girls who want to study medicine... it's going to make such a difference! 
her passion for heart surgery is amazing and i can totally see why it's an "inspiring experience" 
i wish more people would believe in themselves like she does 
and establish foundations to support others, that's so cool! 
I'm so inspired by Dr Kudzai Kanyepi's story! It's crazy to think about how far she's come from being one of just a handful of women in Africa who qualified as cardiothoracic surgeons four years ago. 100 operations is no joke, and the fact that she's still going strong shows her dedication and passion for heart surgery 
.
. It's time we break down those barriers and support more women like Kanyepi who are trailblazers in their field.
I think its really cool that Dr Kudzai Kanyepi has broken through all those barriers just by being herself and working hard 
, especially when she's doing something as tough as heart surgery, it shows how passionate and determined she is 
, which is exactly what we should all be striving for in life. And its awesome that she's now paying it forward by mentoring other trainees and wanting to support more girls who want to study medicine 
it's like, hello, we need more women in STEM fields not less 
especially when it comes to something as vital as heart surgery. kudzai's story needs to be shared everywhere so others can learn from her perseverance & determination 
. I love how she didn't let the doubts and skepticism from her male colleagues hold her back. She just kept pushing forward and now she's performing 100 operations 
. And the fact that she's mentoring other trainees and setting up a foundation to support disadvantaged girls is, like, totally amazing 
. We need more women like Dr Kanyepi in leadership positions and making a difference in their communities! She's literally paving the way for future generations of female surgeons