By Palesa Ndinisa
Nelly ‘Buyisile’ Mashile is a 28-year-old medical doctor who grew up in Daveyton and Tsakane. Currently, she is a top 9 finalist for Miss South Africa 2025 and has an initiative called ‘Ignite Unite’.
The ingenious and hardworking Dr. Mashile authenticates that beauty should indeed be accompanied by brains. The humbled nature young woman completed her medical degree in Cuba back and in 2022 and earned her MBChB degree at the University of Witwatersrand (Wits) a year later. She then did her internship at Pholosong Regional Hospital and is currently completing Community service in paediatrics at Tambo Memorial Hospital. Growing up in a destitute household with three generations of domestic workers, education certainly bridged a gap for Dr. Mashile as it changed her life for better.
Speaking to Dr. Mashile, she attested that studying medicine was not only about the title of being a doctor, but the joy of being able to help the helpless. “My dad passed on from an undiagnosed illness and I was only 9. That is where my inspiration to become a doctor derived from. He was my best friend and losing him hurt so much because that meant my mom had to take the hardship of being a single parent. However, my great-grandmother, grandmother and my mom raised me and from a young age I had to face the harsh reality of poverty because they were all domestic workers. One would’ve thought that I’d be the fourth generation of being a domestic worker but by mom believed a lot in education. Although I wasn’t the most smartest person in the room, my mom encouraged me to study hard. As a result, she’s an aspiring social worker,” graciously added Dr. Mashile.
The grounded young woman furthermore mentioned that her foundation, Ignite Unite, which has been ongoing for three (3) years, continues to be a positive influence in her life as well as a life of a black child from a disadvantaged background. Its three (3) pillars; identity, education and transition motivate learners in schools to become great and follow their dreams regardless of their circumstances. “Someone asked me to give a word or two to students and I remember a group of girls coming to me and telling me they want to succeed like I did, although not in medicine but in other fields. One student wanted to be a psychologist, and I didn’t know much about psychology so it broadened my perspective as I got a psychologist and brought information to her. One wanted to be a dietician and that inspired me to bridge the gap between access and opportunity. We at times think that South Africa has no opportunities when we actually don’t know about them. I struggled to get a bursary and I stayed home for a year at some point. Ignite Unite bridges gaps by bringing resources that are already existing in terms of bursaries and scholarships,” uttered Dr. Mashile.
The doctor also stretched out how impactful the journey of Miss South Africa 2025 has been. She stated that her power originates from the fact that she is relatable to all South Africans who come from different struggles. “My reign will highlight how all dreams are possible when accompanied with hard work. I want people to look at me and remember where I come from- now I’m a doctor. This is why I always show up authentic. I show that I’m human and it is by God’s grace and my family’s tenacity that I’m here today; representing not only myself or my family but the community that raised me- the beautiful City of Ekurhuleni. Hence I ask, kindly walk with me in this journey,” excitedly said Dr. Mashile
To vote for Nelly is an easy process as there is no need to fill in any personal information. Download the ‘Miss South Africa’ app on Google Play or Apple Store, click on the top 10 section and select on ‘Buyisile Mashile’. Votes can be repeated as many times.
The pageant will take place at Sun International’s SunBet Arena, Time Square, Pretoria on October 25th , 2025.
