ABOUT
Dr Palesa Phalafala
PLASTIC & RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGEON
FC PLAST SURG (SA)
QUALIFICATIONS
MBChB (University of the Free State)
Fellowship of the College of Plastic Surgeons of South Africa – FC Plast Surg (SA)
MMed (Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery) (University of the Witwatersrand)
ADVANCED QUALIFICATION
Fellowship in Hand and Reconstructive Microsurgery – National University Hospital Singapore (NUHS).
She further obtained a year-long Fellowship in Hand and Reconstructive Microsurgery at the National University Hospital in Singapore. During this time, she entrenched herself in the sub-specialty, rotating among twelve consultants. Her work focused on trauma, congenital anomalies, nerve injuries/conditions, and replantation. She deepened her academic and clinical expertise through responsibility for weekly journal clubs, where she led critical discussions on both national and international literature.
Clinical Interests
Hand Surgery:
Hand surgery is a focalised field focused on treating conditions and injuries of the hand, wrist, and forearm, encompassing both surgical and non-surgical approaches. These procedures can range from traumatic injuries and congenital abnormalities.
Breast Surgery:
Breast surgery encompasses a variety of procedures addressing both medical and cosmetic concerns related to the breast. These include procedures to remove cancerous tissue, reconstruct the breast after cancer surgery, reduce or augment breast size, and lift sagging breasts.
Paediatric Plastic Surgery:
Paediatric Plastic Surgery is a specialised area of surgery focused on correcting birth defects, injuries, and other conditions in children that affect their appearance and function. It encompasses both reconstructive and cosmetic procedures, aiming to improve a child’s quality of life and self-esteem.
Reconstructive Microsurgery:
Restoring normal appearance and function to body parts affected by birth defects, trauma, disease, or cancer.
Medical Foundation
Born and raised in Johannesburg, she was fortunate to be surrounded by a family of medical professionals who ignited her passion for medicine from a young age. Shadowing her aunts, uncles, and cousins in hospitals, she was exposed to the art of healing and the science of care that drove her fascination with the field. Their dedication and compassion left a lasting impression, inspiring her to pursue a career in medicine and make a difference in the lives of others.
Education and Experience
Dr Palesa Phalafala is a compassionate and highly skilled Plastic & Reconstructive Microsurgeon, with a special focus on Hand, Breast, and Paediatric Plastic Surgery. Driven by empathy and a passion for improving lives, she brings precision, dedication, and innovation to every case she undertakes.
Her medical journey began with an MBChB from the University of the Free State in 2012. She later earned her Master’s Degree (MMed) in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery from the University of the Witwatersrand and completed her fellowship through the College of Plastic Surgeons of South Africa. In 2022, she was awarded the prestigious Laurie Dippenaar Scholarship for her passion and vision in driving positive change in medicine.
Dr Phalafala's international exposure includes her intensive year-long fellowship at the National University Hospital Singapore, where she specialised in Hand and Reconstructive Microsurgery. This experience positioned her among the few female plastic surgeons in South Africa to have received such advanced training abroad.
Currently, she serves as a Specialist Consultant at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University in the Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Burns Surgery. Here, she plays an instrumental role in teaching and training registrars, carefully planning each case with an emphasis on both aesthetic refinement and functional restoration. She has also established her private practice, where her multidisciplinary approach ensures comprehensive care tailored to complex patient needs.
Philosophy of Care
At Dr Palesa Phalafala's Practice, commonly addressed as Dr P by her patients, we embody a deeply personalized approach to care, recognizing that each individual is a unique tapestry of experiences, needs, and circumstances. Our philosophy is rooted in the belief that every patient deserves to be valued, feel seen, heard, and understood in their entirety.
We commit to creating a safe, empathetic, and supportive environment where individuals can share their stories, concerns, and aspirations without judgment. Our approach is holistic, acknowledging the intricate interplay between medical, psychological, and social factors that shape each person's journey.
Through active listening, compassionate understanding, and evidence-based expertise, we strive to craft a tailored care plan that honors the individual's distinct needs, values, and goals. Our aim is to empower each patient to take ownership of their well-being, fostering a collaborative partnership that is uniquely theirs.
We cultivate a warm, uplifting atmosphere where positivity and hope thrive. Our interactions are infused with kindness, empathy, and genuine connection, nurturing a sense of trust and belonging. In our care, you will be treated as the only one – because, to us, you are.
Community Outreach and Humanitarian Work
Dr Phalafala is passionate about community service and humanitarian outreach. She has participated in complex reconstructive surgeries during medical missions both locally and abroad. In Cambodia, she contributed to challenging upper limb, lower limb, and brachial plexus cases at the Children’s Surgical Centre. In South Africa, she has actively supported initiatives like Operation Smile and the Smile Foundation. She also engages with local outreach programmes, including work with New Jerusalem Children’s Home, where she sits on the board of directors.
She actively engages as a volunteer for ReSurge International, which is a Global Non-Profit Organisation that gives people with surgically-treatable conditions in low-income countries a chance to lead fuller, healthier lives by training and funding local surgical teams to provide life-changing care. She partnered with Netcare Foundation, supporting children with congenital defects through awareness and surgeries, providing essential medical care and empowering young lives.
Professional Memberships Dr Phalafala is affiliated with:
- HPCSA – Health Professionals Council of South Africa
- APRASSA – The Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons of South Africa
- ICOPLAST – International Confederation of Plastic Surgery Societies
- SASSH – South African Society for Surgery of the Hand
- GFA – Global Fellows Alliance, National University Hospital, Singapore
- MWASA – Medical Women’s Association of South Africa
- SAMA – The South African Medical Association
Dr Phalafala’s Commitment
Dr Phalafala's success lies in her collaborative, detail-oriented approach to complex surgery. She develops personalised treatment plans focused on each patient’s unique needs, supported by a foundation of empathy, communication, and clinical excellence. Her goal is to provide transformative outcomes through reconstructive and cosmetic surgery that not only enhance form and function but also restore confidence and quality of life.
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