The University of KwaZulu-Natal School of Clinical Medicine is hosting a series of conversations to honour the institution's Alumni legends in Medicine under the leadership of Professor Ncoza Dlova, dean and head of the school.

Dr Mathume Josepth ‘Joe’ Phahla trained as a medical doctor at the then University of Nata and has been the Minister of Health of South Africa since August 2021. He was formerly the Deputy Minister of Health from May 2014 to August 2021. He had been a deputy minister since May 2009.

Professor Ephraim Thibedi Mokgokong has made a massive contribution to the development of the medical field in South Africa. As the first black gynaecologist to qualify and practise in South Africa, his first post was at KwaZulu-Natal’s King Edward Hospital, which at the time boasted the largest obstetrics unit in the entire Southern Hemisphere. He was part of the team that established the Medical University of Southern African (Medunsa, now known as the Sefako Makgatho Health Services University) in Ga-Rankuwa in January 1978. Professor Mokgokong recently received the prestigious Order of the Baobab for his excellent contribution to medical sciences in South Africa and his dedication to providing gynaecological services to disadvantaged women in rural areas. He was awarded National Orders at an investiture ceremony in April 2023.

Prof. Saraladevi Naicker is Emeritus Professor in Nephrology at the University of the Witwatersrand. She has mentored a large number of postgraduate students, hosted postgraduate trainees in Internal Medicine and Nephrology (both national and international), and supervised approximately 50 students at Masters and PhD levels. She has participated in numerous national and international conferences, including the world congresses of nephrology, and has published 17 book chapters and over 200 publications, with 190 of those being in peer-reviewed journals.

View the interview video here.
Read more about the guests here.

Technical Editing: Sibusiso ‘Dust’ Nkosi
Studio: United Rhythms Recording Studios
Host: Nongcebo Vukile McKenzie