A Moment With Boitumelo
Hey Boitumelo! Tell us about yourself – who is Boitumelo Mphusu?
WOW, where do I even begin?! I was born in Lesotho, where my mother is originally from and due to my father being a diplomat we were constantly on the move, primarily in Europe though. During this time of travel, my two younger siblings were born. We returned to Botswana in 2004, where I completed my secondary education and then moved to China where I lived for 7 years. I studied Chinese for a year and then started medical school. I returned to Botswana for an internship position and then remained here and eventually joined the Kingdomcity Leadership Academy Class of 2019. During my time, I fell in love with music and medicine; I started dancing when I was 5 years old. Ballet was my first love but I branched out into Hip Hop later on in the UK; then got into more genres such as contemporary/afro fusion/house, here in Botswana. I joined a dance company called ‘Mophato Dance Theatre’ and was with them for 12 years, this allowed me to travel the world on my own and experience all types of cultures. Whilst in China, to make pocket money, I started singing/rapping and realised I had a knack for it. I started incorporating it in my everyday life.
What are you passionate about?
My name, Boitumelo, which means happiness and I believe that is where my passion stems from; which is to put smiles on people’s faces and, more especially, making them laugh fills me with such joy. Whether it’s you enjoying my performances, delivering your babies/helping you with your health or just simply having a conversation that can light up your day.
You have your own radio show - how did the idea of your radio show come about?
The radio show was not my idea. There was a new show starting on a radio station called Yarona FM, it was called the #BuffetBreakfast and they wanted a relatable doctor they could chat with. So last year I was performing with the dance company I previously mentioned and we were at a Music Award Show. During the show an artist started feeling nauseous and fainted, I intervened using my natural remedies to help them. The presenters of the upcoming new show were interested in how I practiced medicine and offered me a slot on the show. Originally, I wasn’t interested in doing it, honestly I felt way too scared to speak publicly and didn’t think I was good enough, but we all know how God works. I eventually agreed and it’s been a blessing ever since then.
You have an ‘alias’ for the show - where did "Dr Bae" come from?
Hahaha… well it was actually my friend just making a joke. The fact that someone like me even existed, especially in the medical field! Who loves hip-hop, is a straight up tomboy, used to be dyslexic but managed to become a whole doctor.
What/who are your inspirations in the medical world?
Hunter Herty “Patch” Adams for his humour and how he brings joy into people’s lives through medicine. He made medicine fun for me.
Ben Carson for his perseverance, resilience and (like he says) THINK BIG!
Dr. Moloi, who is my current boss, for his heart. He serves the country so selflessly even when he is exhausted.
Dr. Baliki; most female specialists have to compete with men so much that they lose their feminine touch but she kept always kept her composure. She continues to teach me to always love and nurture no matter how hard it gets, because us ladies were made to do that. To rise on my own accord, not following the male footsteps.
What/who are your inspirations in your own personal life?
Wow, there are so many!
Basetsana “Bassie” Kumalo; she was Miss South Africa in 1994, after South Africa got independence. She paved ways for black women to be considered beautiful, smart and educated.
Mandela, of course, he fought for us and loved us so deeply.
Lauryn Hill for being her unique self.
Oprah for her boldness and strength.
Harriet Tubman for her passion and love for her people.
Steve Harvey for his transformation after all the trials and tribulations he went through in life.
Maya Angelou – No words can even begin to explain.
To end it off, my spiritual mother, Priscilla Shirer. Who taught me fervent prayer.
What is a book or resource that has impacted your life, both personally and in the work place?
In 2018, I fell very ill and my life changed drastically. During the healing process, I fell into a deep depression period and these books are what kept me afloat and propelled me to snap out of it! They guided me spiritually, mentally and physically. They were most impactful in my workplace; I work in Government so most of the time we have a shortage of supplies and are overworked, the things we see can be very dark and lead you to feel helpless. So sources were: The Seat of the Soul- Gary Zukav
My Journey of Hope, By Basetsana Kumalo
Becoming, By Michelle Obama
We are Going to Need More Wine, By Gabrielle Union
Crushing, By TD Jakes
What has been your biggest challenge (business wise) so far?
My biggest challenge was my health. I was diagnosed with Fibroids in 2018 which required a myomectomy surgery to remove them and also revealed that I had Endometriosis Stage 3 and Diffuse Adenomyosis. I went through a handful of therapies, surgeries etc., even up to now. This slowed down the progress I had worked so hard for in my life and closed the door on a lot of the dreams I had or rather put it on hold. I felt like my soul was cut out after the third surgery. I’ve been told I’m 79% infertile; dreams of having a family have been crushed or rather have instilled so much fear in me.
What was a highlight moment in your career?
My brand, Dr. Bae, growing as fast as it did; it spread like wildfire! I started speaking at events, alongside the First Lady of Botswana. Our interaction even led to her inviting me out for dinner to hear my story and mandate, to educate the public about what a lot of women are going through with our health. To be the voice for young ladies who are told to handle pain, to control your natural bodily functions, to handle your emotions etc.
Through my intense illness, I was ridiculed for feeling nauseous at the sight of blood as a doctor, or bleeding myself once I was scrubbed in for surgery and couldn’t scrub out. I would bleed on myself and be teased. Even going through chronic pains every day, I was still able to gain surgical skills. I let the fear die and started believing in the girl I once was in 2017 again.
If you could tell young females who are wanting to study and further educate themselves, what advice would you pass on?
“You’re not crazy, you’re enough”
Remember those words wherever you are in the world. Your crazy dreams are not too big for God. Your pain and irregular cycle are not normal and you shouldn’t have to just deal with it on your own. Rise up to the pedestal God has given you. Do not suffer in silence; you are a daughter and you are loved.
Where do you see your radio show in the next five years? What are your goals and aspirations? Do you see it expanding into other avenues?
I see my brand “Dr. Bae” expanding to all radio stations in Botswana; all types of audiences tuning in to hear my health tips and holistic ways to manage pain and illness. To continue educating the public about my condition that affects a lot of females around the world.
Gaining more exposure on radio will lead to me starting up a YouTube channel as my Facebook page, where my videos are uploaded, has become so popular.
Leading to more speaking events, to start this upcoming year, at schools to speak about health to the youth; prevention is always better than a cure and the aim is plant a seed in the young ones so by the time they get to my age, they are aware of the risks of the certain actions they take from the particular foods they may ingest and what to expect when entering tertiary school and what they can do to help themselves. I’m a true believer that God has given us everything we need on earth, you just have to be open to find and use it. I would like to open a foundation, where our government supplies pads for free to all females across the country (pads can become pricey when you bleed up to 100 days straight and change up to 6 times, I would know). Making sure females get regular check-ups and not just when you have intercourse. Our HIV/AIDS programme is AMAZING in Botswana and one of the best in the world; I would like that much attention on women’s health too, affordable and accessible infertility programmes as a start because we didn’t have a choice with what happened to our bodies every month, it was already set for us. I also hope to join ‘Doctors without Borders’.
Where can we find you?
You can catch me on Yarona FM (106.6), a radio station in Botswana. I am on the Buffet Breakfast with Scar and Zizi Panther, every Monday, talking about all things health and wellness. My social media handles are as follows:
Facebook: Dr. Tumie Violet Mphusu
Instagram: @dr.violetmphusu
Twitter: @DrMphusu