Sindisiwe van Zyl

Van Zyl was born on 3 April 1976 in Salisbury, Rhodesia (now Harare, Zimbabwe). For secondary education she attended Arundel School. For tertiary education she attended the University of Pretoria, where she obtained a Bachelor of Science in human physiology and psychology and a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery degree. Dr Sindisiwe Van Zyl interned at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. In 2004, she married Marinus van Zyl. ==Career==

She used Twitter, mainly, to inform and engage about HIV particularly prevention of mother-to-child transmission. She also appeared frequently on TV, radio and other media platforms. She was a natural short sleeper requiring about 4 hours of sleep per night while functioning normally. Her scientific research has included guidelines to support HIV-affected individuals and couples to achieve pregnancy safely and COVID-19 and HIV co-infection. She held various roles in the South African Medical Association. She was a member of Médecins Sans Frontières Southern Africa's Board of directors. Because of her extensive public health advocacy, she was known as "the people's doctor". Bona magazine, Choma magazine • Radio DJ, Kaya FM hosting Sidebar with Sindi • Guest artist in the soap opera 7de Laan ==Death==

On 10 April 2021, she died at the age of 45 from COVID-19. Her funeral was on 15 April 2021. Memorials of Dr Sindi included people posting themselves on social media wearing dresses with pockets, which was her signature style. ==Awards and honors==

• Mail & Guardian (2012) 200 Young South Africans • Glamour Women of the Year (2018) - awarded for excellence and activism in health and medicine • Amref Health Africa posthumous Africa Health Agenda International Conference 2023 Women in Global Health Award ==References==