​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 Jurie Pretorius.

Jurie Pretorius describes himself as a farm boy from the countryside. He grew up in Piet Retief in Mpumalanga and after he’s completed his MB,ChB degree he would like to return to the countryside to open a practice.Pretorius’s cites his parents as his motivation to keep on excelling. “They worked very hard and made many sacrifices for me to be able to be at university,” he says.

Their work ethic must have rubbed off: last year Pretorius achieved eight distinctions and was named as one of the Top 10 matriculants in Mpumalanga.Pretorius might be from a small town, but he’s a big thinker: he describes himself as someone who won’t just accept the opinions of others and believe it’s important to think critically.

He chose to study medicine because he says it will allow him to lead a life that “is not just normal”. He believes it will put him in a position to achieve extraordinary things.

“When I look back one day, I want to see that I did more than just live.”Rapid fire with Jurie:

• YouTube or Instagram? “Instagram. There’s less reading.”
• Worst habit? “Sometimes I can be too honest.”
• Can you cook or bake? “I rather pride myself on my braaing skills.”
• If you were an animal, what would you be and why? “An eagle. The world looks so much prettier from a height.”
• What makes you positive about South Africa? “The passion and excitement displayed by South African youth.”