Neelam Rahim / neelam@radioislam.co.za

2 min read
28 January 2023 / 18:51 pm CAT

Photo Credit: IOL

It is a family affair for the Maharaj family from Umhlanga in Durban, who are alumni or current students at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Parents, Naren and Jenita, are alumni of UKZN who have graduated with medicine and optometry, respectively. Son, Sahil, graduated with a medical degree cum laude in 2021, whilst his siblings, Sandhya, Suhana, and Smita, are current medical students at the Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine campus. And now, the youngest daughter, Smita, who just finished matric with a score of 92% in her National Senior Certificate exams, will join her family in the Medical Class of 2023.

In an interview with Radio Islam International, Ashmita Maharaj said she was prompted to the medical career path from a very young age.

Ashmita was really moved by the gratitude of patients when they were healed by her dad or given the gift of sight by her mum. The experiences of her parents left a mark and teachings of what true compassion is.
“I would like to make my life meaningful and my purpose in life is to help,” she says.

Listen to the interview with Moulana Junaid Kharsany and Ashmita Maharaj on Radio Islam’s podcast.