The University of KwaZulu-Natal is proud to welcome Dr Phathokuhle Zondi to the School of Clinical Medicine, where she will formally take up her position on 1 May 2025. Zondi has been appointed to strengthen UKZN’s current focus areas in research, undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, and research supervision in the field of Sports and Exercise Medicine.
An internationally respected Sports and Exercise Medicine Physician, academic, and health strategy consultant, Zondi brings to UKZN a wealth of experience spanning elite sport, public health, and corporate governance. Her extensive leadership portfolio includes serving as Chief Medical Officer for Team South Africa at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games, the 2017 World Games, and the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. From 2016 to 2024, she chaired the Medical Advisory Commission for the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC), overseeing athlete care and clinical standards on the world stage.
Zondi grew up in Clermont township before moving to Westville, where she matriculated from Westville Girls’ High School in 2000. She holds an MBChB from the University of Cape Town, an MSc in Sports Medicine from the University of Pretoria, and an MBA from the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS), University of Pretoria.
Reflecting on her journey into the field, Zondi shares: ‘I grew up in a very active family — fun runs, early morning workouts, afternoon training, and weekend races were part of our lifestyle. From a young age, I saw how it could build confidence, create community, and open doors. I was always drawn to sport, but I was equally fascinated by human biology and science. The real turning point came when I heard an interview with Professor Tim Noakes. It was a eureka moment — I realised I could combine my love for sport with a career grounded in science, health, and purpose.’
Over time, her work evolved from treating individual athletes to designing systems that support athlete health, with a strong focus on female athletes and underrepresented communities. Her leadership roles include serving as Secretary General of the College of Sports and Exercise Medicine South Africa, President of the South African Sports Medicine Association (2015–2017), Associate Editor of the British Journal of Sports Medicine, and Senior Medical Educator for World Rugby. She is also on the international faculty of the IOC’s Advanced Team Physician Course.
Zondi’s consultancy work spans government and corporate sectors, advising on health strategy, performance systems, and sport and wellness innovation. Her research and advocacy focus particularly on female athlete health and promoting equity in sport, and she serves on several national and international boards and advisory committees.
A formidable endurance athlete in her own right, Zondi has completed numerous ultra-marathons, multi-stage cycling races, triathlons, and even summited Mount Kilimanjaro. Her achievements have not gone unnoticed: she received a Ministerial Recognition Award in 2017, and in 2023, was named one of the Mail & Guardian’s Businesswomen of the Year.
Outside her professional commitments, Zondi is an avid mountain biker and runner, passionate about all things outdoors and adventurous. ‘If it involves pace, adrenaline and competition — I’ve probably tried it (and timed it),’ she laughs. When indoors, she finds joy in disappearing into the pages of a good novel.
To young people looking to carve their own paths, Zondi offers these words of inspiration. ‘You don’t have to have it all figured out from the start — but stay curious, stay committed, and stay kind. Your path may twist and turn, but everything you learn along the way will serve you. Don’t let fear or failure hold you back. The world needs your voice, your ideas, and your courage — especially in spaces where people like you haven’t always been seen or heard. Whatever you choose to pursue, carry it with intention.’
UKZN is honoured to have a leader of Dr Zondi’s calibre join the School of Clinical Medicine and looks forward to the significant contributions she will make to the institution and to the field of Sports and Exercise Medicine both locally and globally.
