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Dr Nthabiseng Maesela: From Limpopo to Global Sports Medicine Leader
From childhood dream to medical halls
When Dr Nthabiseng Maesela first answered the question “What do you want to be when you grow up?” her response was always simple: a doctor. Born in Mohlahlereng, raised in Burgersfort, and later moving to Polokwane, her journey took her from rural Limpopo classrooms to some of the world’s most high-pressure sporting arenas.
Her academic path began at the University of Limpopo’s Medunsa Campus in 2012, the place she describes as “the beginning of everything.” It was during her internship that she discovered her true passion: sports medicine. That discovery has since shaped not only her career but also the way she has contributed to South African and international sport.
On the world stage with Banyana Banyana
A defining moment came in 2023 when Maesela joined Banyana Banyana as team doctor for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. Working with the national side cemented her role as a trusted figure in football medicine and showed her ability to perform under the pressure of global tournaments.
Her expertise has also been called upon in youth development. She has supported the U16 Men’s National Team in Poland and the U17 Women’s National Team, reflecting her versatility and commitment to nurturing young athletes.
Academic excellence meets practical leadership
Alongside her professional work, Maesela recently graduated with an MSc in Sports Medicine from the University of Pretoria. Her mini-dissertation explored concussion, cognitive function, and balance among university athletes, research that is particularly relevant in a sporting world where the long-term effects of head injuries are under growing scrutiny.
Her academic achievements have been celebrated by UP’s faculty, with Professor Christa Janse van Rensburg describing her as someone who “embodies the vision of developing sports medicine professionals who advance the entire discipline.”
Building institutions and leading change
Maesela is not only a doctor but also an entrepreneur. She co-founded the Optimum Sports and Wellness Institute in Polokwane and serves as managing director of CB Health Solutions, which operates the University of Johannesburg Sports Clinic. Her leadership extends into her role as medical commissioner for the Limpopo Academy of Sports, where she is shaping the future of athlete care in her home province.
Internationally, her credentials include a FIFA Diploma in Football Medicine, World Rugby certifications, and her selection as team doctor for Team South Africa at the 2025 FISU World University Games in Germany. These milestones confirm her as one of South Africa’s brightest medical leaders on the global stage.
A story that inspires
Dr Maesela’s journey is a story of persistence, vision, and community impact. From her beginnings in Limpopo to her current standing as a medical leader, she represents the new wave of South African professionals who bring both world-class knowledge and a sense of local responsibility to their work.
For young women aspiring to break into medicine or sport, her career shows that it is possible to dream big and still give back at home.
Also read: Lesufi Raises Alarm Over Rising Political Killings in Gauteng
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Source: IOL
Featured Image: Instagram/@universityofpretoria
