LEGACY OF HEALING: NWU’S TRIBUTE

James Klusener 

@jamesklusener

On Tuesday, 22 April, the chancellor of the North West University, Dr. Anna Mokgokong, announced that the highly anticipated School of Medicine will be known as the NWU Desmond Tutu School of Medicine.

The event was also attended by other university officials including Bert Sorgdrager, chairperson of the NWU council, Prof. Bismark Tyobeka, principal and vice-chancellor of the NWU. As well as Dr. Mamphela Ramphele, chairperson of the Archbishop Desmond Tutu IP Trust, the deputy minister of health, Dr. Joe Phaahla, and the premier of the North West Province, Lazarus Mokgosi.

The name comes from respected Archbishop Desmond Tutu, whose name will now live on in the students that graduate from the School of Medicine. Moreover, this name holds further meaning and significance, as Archbishop Desmond Tutu always wished to be a doctor, and now his legacy will be carried out by those that pursue the dream he once held. NWU council chairperson Sorgdrager, explained that naming the medical school after the Nobel Peace Prize laureate honours Archbishop Tutu’s lifelong impact on South Africa, while also forging a lasting link between his legacy and the values, character, and qualities the university aims to cultivate in future graduates of the NWU Desmond Tutu School of Medicine.

The new medical school is expected to receive its first intake in 2028, and will offer world-class qualifications in the MBChB and MMed degrees. Dr. Mokgokong reinforced the need for more medical professionals in South Africa, highlighting the startlingly low ratio of doctors and nurses to patients, with the doctor patient ratio being 0.31 per 1000 patients, and 4.59 nurses per 1000 patients. This highlights the need for more professionals in this field. The Desmond Tutu School of Medicine will be the 11th medical school in South Africa.

Given the significance of Desmond Tutu’s legacy and the pressing healthcare needs in South Africa, the NWU Desmond Tutu School of Medicine represents an integral step towards training skilled medical professionals who will contribute to a healthier future for the nation.

Edited by Mhlengi Khumalo