Tributes have been pouring in after the death of South Africa’s first black neurosurgeon, Professor Mochichi Samuel Mokgokong recently.
Mokgokong 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.
He is renowned for being part of the surgical team that separated conjoined twins, Mpho and Mphonyana Mathibela, at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital on December 1986.
ALSO READ | UKZN launches groundbreaking social justice module
He further headed the surgical teams for three separations of craniopagus Siamese twins and has trained and produced more than 15 neurosurgeons, as well as produced the youngest neurosurgeon in Africa in 2017.
In 2022, the University of KwaZulu-Natal 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 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.
ALSO READ | UKZN proud of alumni in SA’s legal team in case against Israel
He was also 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.
He 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.
ALSO READ | KZN receives 46 mobile clinics
He has received several accolades for his 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 UKZN’s 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 so as to inspire black students to enter the profession.
“He advised students to, ‘stay in school and specialise instead of going into private practise to make money because once you’re a specialist you can impart your knowledge and expertise and become an even bigger success’.
ALSO READ | Former PMB man to be awarded medal in recognition of selfless service
“He will be missed. We convey our heartfelt condolences to his loved ones. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”
