As a dermatologist and founder of Eumel—a brand rooted in celebrating and caring for every skin and hair type—my first visit to South Africa was more than a professional milestone. It became a journey through history, humanity, and the quiet resilience of those who have endured much and held their dignity all the same.
I was honoured to be invited as an international speaker at the 9th Combined Dermatology Congress of South Africa, where the theme was "Reflections and Unity in Dermatology." It was a powerful and timely message—not only for our field, but for the world. The congress brought together professionals from every corner of the region, creating a space for learning, healing, and collaboration across lines that once divided.
But beyond the academic halls, South Africa spoke to me in quieter, deeper ways.
What struck me most during my time there wasn’t just the legacy of apartheid—it was the quiet strength of the people who had lived through it. There was no bitterness in the voices I heard. Only clarity. Only dignity.
I remember a conversation with a taxi driver of Indian ancestry, who shared his experience working in a factory under apartheid. He often knew more than his white boss, but was expected to remain silent, to defer. He told me how he had once been turned away from a shop because of the colour of his skin. Years later, that same shop owner—now desperate for business—invited him in. But he declined. “You treated me as less than,” he said. “You don’t get to rewrite history now because it’s convenient.” And with quiet dignity, he walked away.
I met Black South African physicians who trained under an oppressive regime, who faced systemic barriers in their education and practice—yet they endured. They became leaders in their field. They speak not with anger, but with pride. They stand tall. Dignified. Whole.
That strength, I came to understand, is rooted in something deeper than survival. It’s grounded in culture, in identity, and in a profound belief in one's worth—even when the world tries to say otherwise.
While in South Africa, I also had the privilege of spending time in a game reserve. Standing beneath the open sky, watching giraffes move with quiet grace through the bush, I felt the immensity of the natural world—and the smallness of human conflict in comparison. There’s something humbling about witnessing that kind of beauty. In the face of ancient trees and animals untouched by politics or prejudice, our human injustices feel painfully petty. Maybe that’s another source of resilience here: the reminder that there is a world beyond us, and it is beautiful. Enduring. Pure.
It reaffirmed what I believe and what Eumel stands for: that caring for skin and hair is not vanity—it is reverence. It is an act of honouring your heritage, your story, your strength. At Eumel, our mission is to celebrate every shade, every curl, every person—because beauty is not one thing. It is many things. It is rooted in culture, and that makes it powerful.
To everyone who belongs to or stands with a marginalised community: remember this. You come from people who endured. Who stood tall in silence. Who believed in themselves when no one else did. That quiet strength lives in you too.
Let us honour it. Let us reflect on it. And above all, let us all move forward in unity—with dignity.
