From Laboratory Excellence to Kingdom Purpose: Thakane Lietsiso's Journey
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On JustGospel's Testimony Tuesday with Carlett, medical technologist and theologian Thakane Lietsiso from Vanderbijlpark, Vereeniging, shared her remarkable 30-year journey from laboratory science to ministry, demonstrating how God aligns careers with calling.
Humble Beginnings
In 1995, Thakane began as a medical technology student at Lancet Labs, earning just R250 for transportation during her 18-month in-service training. Despite humble beginnings, she specialized in chemical pathology—combining clinical chemistry, biochemistry, analytical chemistry, and pharmacology—registering with the Health Professionals Council of South Africa in 1999.
Divine Doors Opening
God orchestrated strategic moves: Lancet to Ampath (1997), then the National Institute of Virology on December 1, 1999—World AIDS Day. Though specialized in chemical pathology, not virology, God opened this door. At NIV (now NICD), she worked with 36 different viruses, became safety officer during SANAS accreditation, and witnessed the facility become a WHO reference laboratory for polio research.
Close Calls and God's Protection
Once handling a specimen later identified as hemorrhagic fever (possibly Ebola), Thakane experienced God's supernatural protection. "Medical scientists pray a lot," she explained. "We know it's not by might or power, but by God's Spirit. I don't consider myself intelligent—it's just God doing the work."
Research at the Cutting Edge
At the Perinatal HIV Research Unit (2006), Thakane worked on prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT), conducting molecular biology research on CD4 and CD8 T-cells before antiretrovirals were validated. "We were making history," she reflected humbly.
From Doing to Teaching
In 2011, Thakane became acting technical training officer for chemical pathology at NHLS. Her secret preparation? Teaching tiny tots at church. "If you can handle tiny tots, teenagers won't be a problem," she laughed. Her students achieved high pass rates regionally, multiplying expertise through discipleship.
Multi-Faceted Excellence
Beyond virology, Thakane pursued qualifications in safety, health environment, risk management, quality, and bookkeeping. At Vaal University of Technology, she taught clinical chemistry while serving on HPCSA audit teams, ensuring programs met national accreditation standards.
Theology Meets Science
Driven by Jeremiah's question—"Aren't there healthcare givers in Gilead? Why are my people suffering?"—and remembering Luke the physician-disciple, Thakane pursued theology to know Jesus personally. She participated in eco-mythologic pastoring conferences at University of Pretoria studying the Seven Last Words of Jesus.
Kingdom Entrepreneurship
Operating under Jehovah Rapha (the Lord who heals), Thakane helps people understand diseases holistically—teaching nutrition, body care, and environmental health. Through Forever Living products rich in aloe minerals and vitamins, she helps replenish what age exhausts. "Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. Food is medicine."
The Integration
Hosea 4:6 drives her: "My people perish for lack of knowledge." Chemical pathology taught her how bodies work; theology taught her God's healing heart. Now she bridges both, teaching that God healed all diseases but we lack knowledge to steward our health properly.
Her Advice
"You are who God says you are. Nothing is impossible with God. Whatever your mind can conceive, it can achieve. Don't look down on yourself—science is science, math is math, whether from township schools or elsewhere."
Humble Beginnings
In 1995, Thakane began as a medical technology student at Lancet Labs, earning just R250 for transportation during her 18-month in-service training. Despite humble beginnings, she specialized in chemical pathology—combining clinical chemistry, biochemistry, analytical chemistry, and pharmacology—registering with the Health Professionals Council of South Africa in 1999.
Divine Doors Opening
God orchestrated strategic moves: Lancet to Ampath (1997), then the National Institute of Virology on December 1, 1999—World AIDS Day. Though specialized in chemical pathology, not virology, God opened this door. At NIV (now NICD), she worked with 36 different viruses, became safety officer during SANAS accreditation, and witnessed the facility become a WHO reference laboratory for polio research.
Close Calls and God's Protection
Once handling a specimen later identified as hemorrhagic fever (possibly Ebola), Thakane experienced God's supernatural protection. "Medical scientists pray a lot," she explained. "We know it's not by might or power, but by God's Spirit. I don't consider myself intelligent—it's just God doing the work."
Research at the Cutting Edge
At the Perinatal HIV Research Unit (2006), Thakane worked on prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT), conducting molecular biology research on CD4 and CD8 T-cells before antiretrovirals were validated. "We were making history," she reflected humbly.
From Doing to Teaching
In 2011, Thakane became acting technical training officer for chemical pathology at NHLS. Her secret preparation? Teaching tiny tots at church. "If you can handle tiny tots, teenagers won't be a problem," she laughed. Her students achieved high pass rates regionally, multiplying expertise through discipleship.
Multi-Faceted Excellence
Beyond virology, Thakane pursued qualifications in safety, health environment, risk management, quality, and bookkeeping. At Vaal University of Technology, she taught clinical chemistry while serving on HPCSA audit teams, ensuring programs met national accreditation standards.
Theology Meets Science
Driven by Jeremiah's question—"Aren't there healthcare givers in Gilead? Why are my people suffering?"—and remembering Luke the physician-disciple, Thakane pursued theology to know Jesus personally. She participated in eco-mythologic pastoring conferences at University of Pretoria studying the Seven Last Words of Jesus.
Kingdom Entrepreneurship
Operating under Jehovah Rapha (the Lord who heals), Thakane helps people understand diseases holistically—teaching nutrition, body care, and environmental health. Through Forever Living products rich in aloe minerals and vitamins, she helps replenish what age exhausts. "Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. Food is medicine."
The Integration
Hosea 4:6 drives her: "My people perish for lack of knowledge." Chemical pathology taught her how bodies work; theology taught her God's healing heart. Now she bridges both, teaching that God healed all diseases but we lack knowledge to steward our health properly.
Her Advice
"You are who God says you are. Nothing is impossible with God. Whatever your mind can conceive, it can achieve. Don't look down on yourself—science is science, math is math, whether from township schools or elsewhere."
