Laudium is beaming with pride following a remarkable medical achievement, Professor Llewellyn Padayachy, led a successful high-stakes brainstem surgery on a three-year-old girl diagnosed with a rare and life-threatening tumour at Steve Biko Academic Hospital last week.
Prof Padayachy, Full Clinical Professor and Head of the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Pretoria, and Chief Specialist and Paediatric Neurosurgeon at Steve Biko Academic Hospital, has been making significant strides in the field of paediatric neurosurgery. A testament to his exceptional career is his Oxford training, receipt of the Roland Krynauw Medal, and the Hamilton Naki Scholarship. Through his work, Prof Padayachy is shaping safer and more innovative solutions for the youngest patients, redefining paediatric neurosurgery in South Africa and beyond.
Prof Padayachy grew up in Laudium, the son of Mr SG Padayachy, a revered Afrikaans educator at Himalaya Secondary, and Felicia Padayachy, who taught at Hillside Primary. Local educators Daya Chetty and Pravin Daya recall him as a bright and respectful student.
Daya Chetty commented, "Another excellent achievement by one of our own local sons. We should celebrate and be proud of the achievements and breakthroughs our local community professionals are making in South Africa and internationally. Laudium is proud of you Prof Llewellyn Padayachy."
Pravin Daya added, "A product of Laudium Heights Primary and Himalaya Secondary. When I was the deputy principal at Heights I remember Llewellyn as the ever-smiling youngster, well behaved and respectful. And above that he was the son of Santham Padayachy who was a colleague of mine at William Hills in Benoni. We traveled together for a number of years in the mid 1970s. Congratulations to Llewellyn on a fine achievement and overall in his career to date. A proud moment for his parents and all the teachers who had the task of moulding him for being the person he is today. Stories like these make teaching the noble profession it truly is."
Laudium Today joins the Laudium community in celebrating Prof Padayachy's exceptional accomplishment.
