As part of its 60th anniversary celebrations, the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences is introducing 60 future healthcare professionals who are currently in their first year. Meet Breda Reed.

He’s a proud Namibian that attended Paul Roos Gymnasium. He loves people, hockey, dogs and his mother’s rusks. He believes everything happens for a reason and that people shouldn’t take life too seriously.

That is how first-year MB,ChB student and native of Windhoek Breda Reed would describe himself in a tweet. Reed matriculated with seven distinctions and was also nominated as the best South African under-18 male hockey player last year.

He believes that having goals is the secret to success. “Anyone can learn how to manage their time, but if you don’t have something that motivates you, chances are you’re going to struggle sticking to your programme,” he says.

This counts for both his studies and his sport.

Reeds views his dad as successful because of the example he has set in achieving his goals. “And he lives according to a strict value system.”

He believes effort, and not necessarily talent, is what distinguishes people. “There’ll always be someone who is better than you, but there should never be someone who works harder than you do.”

Fast facts:

• He loves making food, especially when he should be studying.
• He washes his hands at least 20 time per day. “I hate dirty hands.”
• It annoys him when people talk too slowly.
• Showering while having a gras burn injury makes him cry.
• He prefers animation movies above others. His favourite is Big Hero 6.