Thursday 13 May 2004

This site will be updated on 20 May  2004 at 17:30

People - Mense

• Idols star takes big step

Idols star takes big step

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Susan Botha

HIS rendering of Elton John's 'Your Song', a beautiful voice and a charming personality brought Darren Green instant fame in the 2002 Idols competition, when he ended up among the top finalists.

But it is his warm and loving nature and his dedication as medical doctor at Paarl Hospital that keeps him in the limelight - that and his coming wedding.

He will marry Monique Minnaar in Paarl on 22 May.

"I met Monique four years ago while still

EMPATHY. Dr Darren Green with one of the premature babies in the Paarl Hospital pediatric ward.

a student, and she was this extremely mysterious girl with peace about her.

"I watched her from a distance, the calming effect she had on other people.

"I've never seen anyone listen with such attention and empathy. I wanted more of her in my life.

"I romanced her with poetry and music, and the rest is history."

But all is not smiles when Darren talks of relationships and marriage.

"How does one choose a partner for life? I think you must seek someone that will bring out the best in you.

"Monique keeps my feet on the ground, in touch with and listening to people.

"Emotionally and spiritually we are really interwoven."

Darren and Monique, who is an occupational therapist, will live in Durbanville after their wedding.

Dr Green started working in the pediatrics ward at Paarl Hospital after completing his studies at the University of Stellenbosch in 2002 and this is where he lost his heart.

"I fell in love with Paarl and its people. It is very different to the metropole and I like the family life here.

"The families are closely knit and the people warm and honest."

The gratitude of patients who are not always well-off, encourages him when the hours are long and tough.

Like the old lady from Bredasdorp who was hospitalised with a fractured arm and treated by him.

"Eventually she went home and I was very surprised when I received a package with homemade rusks, jam and a card.

"It is at such times that I know I made the right decision to stay in the medical field. Here I'm making a difference.

"I think every doctor has moments when you despair. The working conditions in South Africa is not always easy."

Then he smiles: "But the challenges are many: we are sitting with third world conditions that we must change."

It is not that he is ignoring the lure of overseas employment, but at the moment there is too much to keep him here.

"I love pediatrics and neurology, and then there is also the adrenaline rush of casualties."

Green also has great respect for the staff at the hospital.

"A good, well-functioning doctor is just as good as the dedicated nursing staff and cleaners he is working with.

"Doctors need to realise how dependent they are on these staff and support them, for they often get a raw deal."

And Idols?

"Idols opened doors for me. It was a very rewarding experience and I learnt a lot about the entertainment world and the media," he smiles.

"It is great to be put on a pedestal, but it is quickly over and can leave you feeling empty.

"Fame and glamour, without real contentment, give you only temporary satisfaction."

Green had some difficult choices to make after Idols. He was offered a very lucrative position in television, at about eight times his present salary.

"But it was not the right time."

In the meantime he is continuing with his singing career and is a well-known voice at local events like interschools gala dinners.

"I've cut down on my appearances in Cape Town. I'm doing mostly charities, like schools and churches, as well as corporate gigs."

At the moment he is busy with his first demo CD.

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