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Johannesburg - Former Miss South Africa Adè van Heerden completed her internship at 2 Military Hospital in Wynberg, Cape Town, in mid-October and says she’s ready for the next chapter in her life.
But she won’t forget her time at the hospital, she adds. “I’ll always remember the special interactions with the patients and the close bonds I formed with the other doctors,” Adè says.
“And my first Caesarean – there’s nothing as special as welcoming a new life into the world.”
When she took over the Miss SA title from current Miss Universe, Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters, in November 2017, the army gave her special leave to interrupt her internship.
But when Adè didn’t report for duty earlier this year when Tamryn Green became the new Miss SA, there were rumours she’d abandoned her medical internship. She explained to YOU at the time that it had never been her intention to desert her military service – there’d been a disagreement between her and her employer that needed clearing up.
Once the dispute was resolved, she returned to service to complete the modules in obstetrics and gynaecology, as well as paediatrics.
Now that she’s completed her internship she has to work for a year as a community doctor at the South African National Defence Force in Gauteng. “I’m being transferred to the Military Health Services in Gauteng and as soon as they’ve determined where the greatest need for a doctor is, I’ll start working there,” she tells us.
She’s always excited at the prospect of new challenges, she says, “It’s an opportunity for growth and to broaden your horizons.”
She’s also excited to move to Gauteng because she’ll get to see more of her boyfriend, financial analyst Alexander Forsyth-Thompson. Alex lives in Johannesburg but Adè says their relationship was only strengthened by the time spent apart.
“I’m looking forward to having dinner together on a week night,” she says.
Yes, she’s still a little nervous about the uncertainty of her future but she’s dealing with it. “I’m using this time as an opportunity to channel my energy into the things I can control,” she says.
To that end, she’s starting a website with health and wellness tips.
“An interim phase is actually fantastic because it gives your roots a chance to grow before the wind starts blowing again.”
