The company we keep: Dr Augusta Dorning

Blurb: Author and healthcare executive Dr. Augusta Dorning brings four decades of experience across South Africa’s public, non-profit, and private healthcare sectors. Dorning has published The Power of Visualisation, co-authored with Dr. Shirley Zinn, a book that blends neuroscience, practical tools, and authentic African storytelling to equip readers to “create a life of purpose, possibility, and legacy.”

Born: 9 June 1964, Pretoria, South Africa

Status: Thriving

School: Pretoria Art Music and Ballet School

University: Cape Town, Stellenbosch and UNISA

First job: Department of Health KZN, director of employee relations

Home: Durban

Transport: Not fussy

Book on your bedside table: 6 of them at any given time; I finish 4 every 10 days

Music in your playlist: Buddhist instrumentals

Describe your job in no more than seven words: Making good hospitals – great!

What keeps you awake at night? Hope and Joy for more People

Who is your biggest hero? Oprah Winfrey

Remote or office? Both

What’s the most exciting part of your job? Making dreams come true

Career highlight? Working in and with healthcare

What is your superpower? Serendipiter: a person who has the power to always connect others for the greater good.

What is the least known fact about you? I lost my hearing 20 years ago.

If you could get the ear of one person, to convince them your work is important, who would it be? I have done that already but perhaps the President of the World Health Organization.

If you had the power to pass a presidential decree, what would it be? Each person gets education, a house, nutritious food forever and access to the best healthcare.

Your best piece of advice? Believe in yourself – you have the power.

What’s your next big thing? I have everything already

What do you do to relax? Work in nature