Beehind the Scenes with Marizel van Rensburg

“Homeopathy doesn’t just treat symptoms, it sees the full story. That’s why I chose it, and that’s why I stay.”

Some people follow a well worn path. Marizel Van Rensburg carved her own.

Growing up just outside Durban, South Africa, Marizel was raised by a nurse and drawn to the world of healing early. She envisioned herself in a white coat, studying conventional medicine. But when that door didn’t open, she took it as a sign. She discovered homeopathy, a path that felt more aligned with how she wanted to support others.

“I wouldn’t go back to conventional medicine even if I had the chance. I found my home in natural health.”

A calling rooted in service

Marizel completed a rigorous six-year program at Durban University of Technology (DUT), one of only two universities in South Africa offering homeopathy. Her training was equal parts traditional and integrative: anatomy, physiology, and diagnostics, alongside the classical approach to homeopathic remedies.

During her studies, Marizel volunteered at Kula Natural Health Center, one of South Africa’s rare homeopathy-focused nonprofit clinics serving underserved rural communities. For just 10 Rand, patients could receive consultations for diabetes, hypertension, HIV, TB, and chronic pain.

“That experience was humbling. We saw so many patients, and the conditions were often complex. But homeopathy has a way of meeting people where they are.”

Launching her practice from scratch

After graduation, job offers didn’t flood in. But Marizel saw it as an opportunity. She decided to build her own practice from the ground up.

“I realized I was young, I had time, I didn’t have kids yet and if I was going to take a risk, this was the moment.”

She leaned into her entrepreneurial instincts, drawing on experience from a part-time admin job with an established homeopath. There, she saw firsthand the limitations of paper-based systems and the potential of digital tools.

Why Zanda?

Endless paper files, overflowing cabinets, and the daily scramble to stay organized–Marizel had seen it all while working as a receptionist in a busy homeopathy office. She knew there had to be a smarter way to run her own practice.

When she found Zanda, it instantly clicked: an affordable, all-in-one platform built with solo practitioners in mind.

“With Zanda, I have secure note-taking, invoicing, intake forms, and automations all in one place. No juggling five different tools.”

She particularly loves:

• Note taking: “My absolute hero. I can access client histories anywhere, whether I’m in the clinic or at a retirement village.”
• Automations: “I set it once and forget it. Intake forms go out automatically, SMS reminders keep no shows low, and it saves me so much admin time.”
• Invoicing: “I create an invoice directly from the calendar and print it on the spot for patients to claim with medical aid. Super smooth.”

Marizel’s pro tips for practitioners

• Don’t wait for patients to come to you: “You have to go find them. I travel to three retirement villages every month and look for new ways to meet people where they are.”
• Get comfortable adjusting your prices: “When I first started, I priced myself like the big-name homeopaths but I had to pivot. Lowering my rates made me more accessible and built momentum.”
• Use Zanda automations: “They’ve saved me time and headspace. You can focus on healing, not chasing paperwork.”

Helping clients connect the dots

For Marizel, healing begins in the gut and often ends with the heart and mind. Her passion lies in the powerful, often overlooked connection between digestive health and emotional wellbeing. It’s a topic she explored in her master’s research, and it continues to shape her clinical focus today.

She views the gut not just as a physical system, but as an emotional barometer, a place where anxiety, trauma, and stress quietly manifest. Her approach often uncovers hidden layers beneath the surface of everyday symptoms.

“I love uncovering the full picture. Someone might come in for a sore shoulder, but we often find so much more beneath the surface.”

Whether it’s through careful note taking or personalized remedies, Marizel helps clients connect the dots between what’s happening in their bodies and what’s happening in their lives.

A global perspective

One of Marizel’s most formative experiences was earning an Abe Bailey Fellowship, which allowed her to tour the UK with other South African changemakers. She even shadowed a homeopath at the (now integrative) London Homeopathic Hospital.

“To see homeopathy once used in hospital settings and to meet global leaders tackling the same challenges we face in South Africa was so empowering. It showed me what’s possible.”

Why she recommends Zanda

For Marizel, Zanda is a partner in her practice. The ability to streamline everything from booking to billing allows her to stay focused on what matters most: her patients.

“If you’re just starting out, Zanda gives you the confidence to look professional and stay organized without being overwhelmed. It feels like someone is walking the journey with you.”