MINISTER NZIMANDE STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF PROFESSOR MOCHICHI SAMUEL MOKGOKONG
The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Professor Blade Nzimande joins the nation and the academic fraternity in mourning the passing of Professor Mochichi Samuel Mokgokong.
Professor Mokgokong is one of our country’s most decorated academics and scholars. He has a long and distinguished academic career in the medical field, which has seen him form part of some of the most pioneering surgical teams.
In his illustrious career some of the positions he held include 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.
Owing to his commitment to research excellence and outstanding academic leadership, Professor Mokgokong was honoured with a number of national and international awards.
As part of his commitment to transformation in the medical field, he also proudly assumed the role of an activist academic and never missed an opportunity to encourage young black people to enter the medical field.
The passing of Professor Mokgokong constitutes an incalculable loss to our post school education and training sector, and I believe we have an obligation to uphold his legacy of research excellence and visionary leadership.
On behalf of the Departments of Higher Education and Training, and Science and Innovation, and on my own behalf, I wish to convey my heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Professor Mokgokong. May his soul rest in peace.
Enquiries: Veli Mbele
064 615 0644
Date: 30 January 2024
