Staff Reporter
THE University of KwaZulu Natal has paid tribute to the country’s first Black neurosurgeon, Professor Mochichi Samuel Mokgokong who passed away last week.
“It is with deep sadness and regret that we received the news of the passing of one of our own alumni, Professor Mochichi Samuel Mokgokong. Mokgokong was the first Black neurosurgeon in South Africa and hails from a family of medical giants including the renowned Professor Ephraim Thibedi Mokgokong, one of the first Black gynaecologists in South Africa, who was one of his greatest influences and pillars of strength,” the university said in a statement.
Mokgokong is renowned for being part of the surgical team that separated conjoined twins, Mpho and Mphonyana Mathibela, at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital on 7 December 1986.
He further headed the surgical teams for three separations of craniopagus Siamese twins and has trained and produced more than 15 neurosurgeons so far as well as produced the youngest neurosurgeon in Africa in 2017.
In 2022, UKZN honoured Professor Mokgokong with a Living Legend award for his invaluable contribution to the medical field through clinical skills but also through leadership, scholarly work and community outreach programmes.
Professor Mokgokong held several academic and clinical positions during his illustrious career including as a Professor Emeritus of the University of Pretoria, Head of Tembisa Hospital’s Adult Intensive Care and High Care Units; Professor, Chief Specialist, and Head of the Neurosurgery Department at the University of Pretoria’s Steve Biko Academic Hospital; Emeritus Professor and Acting Head of Neurosurgery at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University and Dr George Mukhari Hospital.
A visiting lecturer and consultant at the University of Pretoria’s Department of Neurosurgery under Prof M Van Rensburg; and Specialist and Lecturer in the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of the Witwatersrand’s Baragwanath Hospital, Mokgokong graduated with a BSc from the University of the North, a medical degree from UKZN, an MMed in Neurosurgery from Medunsa, and DSc Honoris Causa of Public Health from the University of Venda for Science and Technology in 2001.
Professor Mokgokong was an active member of the South African Medical Council; Health Professions Council of South Africa; the South African Medical Association, Colleges of Medicine of South Africa; and the South African Neurosurgical Association. He was a council member of the Critical Care Society of South Africa.
He has received several accolades for his amazing work including the CEO Award for the Best Employee at the Steve Biko Academic Hospital for 2017; the Order of Merit Award for Outstanding contribution in the Medical Field from the Executive Reserve Club in 1999; scooped the University of the North Onkgopotse Tiro Order of Merit Award in 2000 and received the Tribute Achievers 2000 Health Category Award presented by the then President of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki.
Professor Ncoza Dlova, dean of the School of Clinical Medicine said: “We can learn a lot from Professor Mokgokong because he was a selfless leader, academic and clinician who served his country with pride and enjoyed passing on his skills to his students. Professor Mokgokong always encouraged his students to ‘to step away from private practice and instead give back to their communities as lecturers and academics to inspire Black students to enter the profession.
He advised students to, ‘Stay in school and specialise instead of going into private practice to make money because once you’re a specialist you can impart your knowledge and expertise and become an even bigger success. He will be missed. We convey our heartfelt condolences to his loved ones. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”
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