By Rex Mphisa
She is young, lovable, brilliant, cute, ever-smiling yet so humble.
That is an apt description of Chelsea Mahla, a young medical doctor who grew up and was natured in Beitbridge.
A product of Malala, Dulibadzimu, Beitbridge Government, Beitbridge Mission primary schools,
Born to Precious Ndou and Gracious Mahla of Shurugwi, Chelsea made a decision to become a doctor when she witnessed the illness of her father.
“He died here at the Beitbridge District Hospital Male ward. I hoped I would be able to treat him and this is what led me to the profession,” she said.
For a young locally developed girl, Chelsea has a story every young girl child must read and learn from.
After leaving Beitbridge she went to Gutu’s Mukaro Girls High school for her secondary education where she was in STEM classes, once a boys dominion.
“I played Chess at Mukaro and at one time captained Zimbabwe. In Beitbridge only Dr (Chamunorwa) Chagonda can beat me,” she said with an easy smile.
Being in the STEM classes was her ticket to places as a young girl and she was part of the trip to South Africa for the Girl Child In STEM.
“We visited many industries interacted with those doing sciences and doctors and that pushed more my decision to become a medical doctor.”
Two weeks back Chelsea was assigned to officiate at the official opening of Tshabili Clinic where she represented the Ministry Of Health and Child Care in place of Dr Lenos Samhere, head, Beitbridge District.
Taking up the stage, the youth in her exhibited itself and she expressed herself in the lingo of the young, much to the amusement and joy of the crowd.
“You guys should make use of the facility. I also want to join you in dancing guys,” Chelsea told tye celebrating crowd who were equally a used by the sight of their very own, a Venda grown young girl doctor.
Unassuming and calm Chelsea went through her speech she delivered from her head and made simple a task in front of dignitaries who included the Beitbridge District Executive team, Provincial Government heads of departments and International Organisation Migration (IOM) dignitaries from Harare.
“I liked rubbing shoulders with the important that day. The who is who at Beitbridge who attended the function. It was fun,” she said.
At 28, she was delivering the welcome remarks for guest speaker Albert Nguluvhe who is Matabeleland South Minister of Provincial Affairs and Devolution.
“It is heart-warming to see we have this little girl from here coming to the high table. This should inspire other girl children. I am impressed, ” Nguluvhe said in part of his speech.
Arguably Chelsea is the only girl from Beitbridge to have become a medical doctor.
A lover of sea food, Chelsea said she encouraged girl children to “go out there and get what they want academically and professionally”.
She also says she is a very good cook and ran through her phone showing this reporter meals she prepared and plated. It included fish fingers and prawns.
“Once I was captain of the national chess team to Botswana, its possible for the Girl Child, ” she said.
Away from the hospital where she is in charge of the paediatric department, Chelsea says she loves music and wants to be a DJ.
“I am slowly buying my equipment and have a mixer. I love music!”