What did you want to be when you were growing up?
No guaranteed income — that worried my parents. They insisted that I get a degree in something that would provide me with financial stability — that’s a very Jewish thing.
I couldn’t be a golfer. I wasn’t interested in law. So what else was a good Jewish boy to do? (Big grin)
I was specialising in general surgery and decided to do a six month stint in the plastic surgery department at the University of the Witwatersrand Medical School to improve my practical skills. I loved the attention to detail the specialty requires, and the unique opportunity it presented me to be able to change people’s lives for the better.
It was a time when replant surgery was in its infancy. There was an accident in which a young farmworker amputated his hand at the wrist. It took me nine hours working through the night to re-attach all the structures of the hand to his arm.
Yes.
Primarily it is a state of mind, but it is helped by exercise, a sensible diet and a balanced lifestyle.
One who can diagnose the problem and facilitate the patient’s path back to health.
One with a willingness to work within a partnership with the doctor.
A 1939 Bugatti, Ernie Els’s golf swing, a perfect piece of Sheraton furniture, Charlize Theron.
Yes, but the number of males in my practices both in SA and the UK is increasing very rapidly. There is an old saying that men improve with age (like a good red wine), but maybe all men don’t believe it.
Whenever the Boks are playing or there’s a quality antique fair. Seriously? Three times a year.
No. It’s really just the same type of people, same type of profiles and needs — just the currency changes.
What do you think?
I would — if I thought it would add value to my life.
I wake at 6am; I do ward rounds at 6.30am in hospital. I am in theatre from 7.30 am to 6.30 pm, sometimes later.
Apart from the long hours, it’s back-breaking work and my back is showing it now. But also the administrative side of my practice — and unrealistic patient expectations.
I have a wonderful team at my practice.
I never operate on them!
Luckily, not so far.
Quite irresponsibly.
I get 0 out of 10 for this one, but I will try harder. I don’t exercise any more (although I was a regular road runner until my knees told me to stop). I intend to change that — sometime soon.
I’m a reasonably healthy eater — I think. For breakfast, I have coffee. Lunch is hospital food, chicken or steak. For supper, my wife, Wendy, cooks a healthy meal for the family, usually low- carb. I love a good whiskey in the evening before dinner.
As little as possible. I know we are all supposed to drink eight or more glasses a day, but it’s just not my favourite drink.
I wouldn't know where the kitchen was if I didn’t need it to access my workshop.
Occasionally the Sunday newspapers.
Apart from driving on the streets of Johannesburg, I drink too much coffee.
I enjoy fly fishing, and spending time with friends.
I rebuild classic and vintage cars. Am busy with a 1933 Alvis Tourer at the moment.
The Story of Earth and Life by Terence McCarthy and Bruce Rubidge
Seeing the young farmworker whose hand I sewed back on being able to use his hand again. I realised I could do something to give someone their life back. That’s an amazing feeling.
Why worry about it if you can’t change it.
Fly fishing on a remote atoll in the Seychelles.
Winston Churchill
Driven a Ferrari at more than 300kph.
I would do more fishing and play more golf.
Julius Malema getting into a position of power
That this country will retain and improve on the quality health- care professional base so that we can all benefit from a better standard of healthcare. I also hope that the next generation will get the opportunity to develop in a peaceful world in a healthy planet.