About

A highly practical person with a lifelong passion for physics, electronics, and fixing anything broken, he was supported by his father, a high school physics and mathematics teacher.  At eight, he built his first radios and timing circuits, even though transistors weren’t yet available to the general public.  Determined to pursue a career in electronic engineering, he began at the University of Cape Town but found himself more of a technician than an engineer.  After months of volunteer work in the trauma unit at Groote Schuur Hospital, he realised his true calling was to become a doctor and surgeon.  He set off to achieve this goal, starting over after two years of engineering education.  This experience proved invaluable, offering a fresh perspective on various medical challenges.  Completing his medical training over six years (1972-1977), he aimed to become an orthopaedic surgeon, the closest thing to a medical engineering technician.  He completed his internship in surgical disciplines and then spent a year as a senior house officer in the orthopaedic department at Groote Schuur Hospital.  Financial pressures led him to the mining industry, where he rose to the position of Chief Medical Officer.  During this time, influenced by Dr Peter Lowe, he developed a passionate interest in microsurgery. The Chamber of Mines Travelling Fellowship enabled him to deepen his interest in microsurgery at the Laboratories of Prof Harry Buncke at the Ralph K Davies Centre in San Francisco.  There, he developed a novel technique for anastomosing small blood vessels.  This research culminated in his Master of Surgery (Ch.M.) degree in 1989.  Meanwhile, he completed his training in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Cape Town and, after satisfactory completion and a Higher Degree, registered as a Plastic Reconstructive Surgeon with the South African Medical and Dental Council (now the HPCSA).  He also obtained Specialist Registration in the Republic of Ireland and Namibia. Dr Duminy has published numerous peer-reviewed papers and presented at local, national and international congresses.  He has pioneered innovative treatments in various areas of plastic surgery.  His daily routine includes reading scientific and medical journals, creating CAD drawings, 3D printing his designs, building electronic circuits, clay target shooting, and travelling.  He’s passionate about friendships, wildlife, nature, photography, science, mushroom collecting, and finding humour in life.

His life is greatly enriched by his family. He has a loving wife, three daughters, two sons-in-law, six grand-children and a step son. His three siblings and their families all live in Cape Town, one of the world’s most beautiful cities.