Northern Cape man beats rare cancer, paralysis and tragedy to become a doctor

Securing a medical degree can be an uphill battle and the years of academic slog, gruelling practical training and intense competition have seen many aspiring doctors fall by the wayside. 

If there’s one person who could have been forgiven for dropping out, it’s Izak Johan Haarhoff. The 28-year-old has battled near insurmountable odds that would’ve broken many people: the deaths of loved ones, crippling depression, paralysis and cancer. 

READ MORE | Doctors gave me 48 hours to live – 23 years later I'm still defying the odds