“We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.” – Oscar Wilde
In Episode 26 of The Incredible Machines Podcast, hosts Jon Oliff and Luke Holden sit down with Dr Angel Madlala: radiologist, entrepreneur, and founder of four out-patient radiology clinics in South Africa. Her journey from KwaZulu-Natal to becoming a healthcare innovator is rooted in making radiology services accessible to rural communities across the country.
Key Highlights from Episode 26
Shaped by a tight-knit family and a strong sense of purpose, Dr Angel was raised with the belief that education is a powerful tool for transformation. Even in high school, her collaborative spirit was evident – she organised study groups, taught her peers, and found joy in sharing knowledge.
These early experiences were the seeds of a deeper dream: to uplift others by making critical resources, like radiology, more accessible, especially in rural communities that are often left behind.
She didn’t settle for joining a radiology firm, but instead built her own: M.D Teleradiology Solutions. She was motivated to take radiology out of the oversaturated cities and into communities where access to quality diagnostic imaging was nearly non-existent.
Her first clinic opened in Eshowe, and since then, she’s expanded to four locations. Each one is strategically placed to ensure accessibility, affordability, and impact. These clinics provide essential services like mammograms, ultrasounds, and X-rays, often the first step in life-saving treatment.
"Rural communities deserve excellence too,"
And she’s proving it, one clinic at a time.
Dr Angel's success is built on intention and ingenuity. With no initial investors, she used her salary from public sector work to buy her first machines and set up clinics. Along the way, she learned how to fund equipment, build compliant facilities, and cultivate partnerships.
Every challenge (from poor internet in rural towns to getting the right certifications) became part of her playbook. Today, she says she could set up a clinic "with her eyes closed."
The episode ends with Dr Angel reflecting on Nike's powerful Dream Crazier ad – a campaign she loves because it reminds her that dreaming beyond what's deemed realistic is often the only way forward.
What We Can Learn from Dr Angel Madlala