MZANSI's first black neurosurgeon, Professor Mochichi Samuel Mokgokong, passed away on Wednesday, 24 January.
Details surrounding his passing are still not known, however, the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) confirmed his death.
Mokgokong was president of HPCSA from 2011 until 2015.
The council said this loss was devastating.
"The sudden loss of our leader, colleague and friend is devastating. His inspiring leadership enabled all of us fulfill our roles in improving public health especially for the most affected people. We extend our deepest condolences to Professor Mokgokong's family. May his soul rest in peace," said the HPCSA.
Among his great accolades as a neurosurgeon, Mokgokong was celebrated for being part of the surgical team that separated conjoined twins, Mpho and Mphonyana Mathibela at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital on 7 December 1986.
Mokgokong comes from a family of medical giants which includes Professor Ephraim Mokgokong, the first black vice-chancellor of the former Medical University of South Africa.
In 2022, the University of KwaZulu-Natal honoured Mokgokong with the Living Legends Award for his invaluable contribution to the medical field through clinical skills and leadership.
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Reacting to his death, University of KwaZulu-Natal dean of the school of clinical medicine, Professor Ncoza Dlova said many can learn a lot from Mokgokong.
"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 step away from private practice and instead give back to communities as lectures and academics to inspire black students to enter the profession," said Dlova.
Dr Fundile Nyati, chief executive of Proactive Health Solutions and friend of Mokgokong, said his passing was difficult to process.
Sharing his emotions on Instagram, Nyati said Mokgokong paved the way for the next generation.
"As the first black neurosurgeon in South Africa, he paved the way for the future generation by showing others that it is possible, and he multiplied himself through directly and indirectly ensuring production of more black neurosurgeons in Southern Africa. He has run his race, fulfilled his purpose, left a strong legacy in the medical fraternity and as a father, husband, uncle, grandfather, the lost goes on.
"May his soul rest in eternal peace, with sincere condolences to his wife Puleng, his three daughters Mokgethwa, Basetsane, Moloko and the rest of the Mokgokong family," he wrote.
