Tevarus Naicker: From frontline medicine to systems change in Africa

My career has taken a few unexpected but meaningful turns. I began in clinical medicine, working in rural South Africa with a focus on primary healthcare and multi-drug-resistant TB. This experience exposed me to the systemic inequities that define South Africa as the most unequal country in the world. Motivated to be part of systems change, I took on the role as a lead of a youth-friendly mobile health clinic initiative called Keready. It aimed to deliver non-judgmental, jargon-free services to underserved youth, especially in areas of sexual and reproductive health and COVID-19 vaccine education. 

Most recently, I served as Innovation Director at the DG Murray Trust, a South African public benefit organisation. I led the All Children on Track strategy, which focused on strategic grant making in early childhood development, nutritional stunting prevention, foundational education and responsive caregiving. This work has reinforced my drive to contribute to systems that enable individuals to reach their full potential. 

What led you to choose the Cambridge MBA?

In 2018, I was a fifth-year medical student on a leadership tour that stopped at Cambridge. Spending a day in this beautiful city and seeing where some of history’s biggest breakthroughs were founded left a lasting impression. That experience has played on repeat in my mind for the past 7 years. I’ve spoken Cambridge into the universe many times, but back then, I never imagined I would one day pursue an MBA.  

I was drawn to the Cambridge MBA because of its interactive curriculum. The Cambridge Venture Project and Global Consulting Project, with their emphasis on real-world problem solving in collaborative groups, reflect how I learn best. Equally important, the programme is known for its diversity. As someone who values inclusivity and cross-cultural exchange, the opportunity to engage with a globally diverse cohort really appealed to me. 

What has been your biggest career accomplishment so far?

My proudest accomplishment isn’t a title or role. It was taking the risk to step away from clinical medicine. For a long time, I thought there was only one path for a doctor. Choosing to pivot into civil society and social development expanded my worldview. Working on the Keready Youth Mobile Clinic Project, I led a team of 81 staff members and helped bridge communication gaps between government and civil society partners. This collaborative effort contributed to the project reaching and directly engaging over one million young people with accessible, youth-friendly medical education. It remains one of my proudest accomplishments.

How do you feel about receiving your scholarship?

Honestly, it still feels surreal. I’m incredibly grateful to Cambridge Judge Business School for the Professor Jochen Runde Scholarship and to the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office for the Chevening Scholarship. These awards represent more than financial support, they are a belief in my potential. I am excited to be mentored by Professor Runde throughout the year. As a fellow South African, I’m especially looking forward to learning from his experience and gaining insight into how to make the most of the programme as a global citizen navigating a new landscape.

What do you hope to gain from the MBA over the next year?

I hope to build a global network of changemakers, strengthen my leadership skills and gain new knowledge, particularly in finance which is currently outside my comfort zone. I also hope to leave with lifelong friendships and a clearer sense of how to scale impact through collaboration. 

Beyond that, I hope to contribute meaningfully to the programme. With my background in the non-profit sector, I want to encourage my classmates to always think about how business can be a force for good and to consider how their ideas and ventures can serve communities and create lasting social impact.

Where do you see the MBA taking you in your future career?

The offering at Cambridge Judge Business School is unique and I see several possible pathways ahead. As a doctor with a passion for improving healthcare access in underserved communities, I see myself working in consulting or leading cross-sector initiatives that bring together government, civil society and the private sector to drive systems-level change. 

As a problem solver, I also envision building a healthcare startup to tackle some of South Africa’s most pressing challenges such as the growing doctor unemployment crisis or the alarming rates of childhood stunting, where one in 4 children under 5 are malnourished in a country that produces more than enough food to feed its population. These are the types of problems I hope to explore through the MBA, drawing on the programme’s multidisciplinary learning to help design practical, lasting solutions.

What does Cambridge mean to you?

Cambridge means never limiting your dreams. I am a first-generation university student and my incredible parents instilled in me the belief that with hard work, anything is possible. For me, Cambridge represents the power of dreaming boldly and working consistently toward that dream.

Something few people know about you… 

I’m a bit obsessed with rhythmic spin classes and I’m actually pretty good at them. So if you catch me cycling to the beat of the latest TikTok viral songs, just know I’m in my happy place.