By REGINALD KANYANE
19 January 2026- The North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari has officially bid farewell to 30 young learners who have been selected to study medicine in the Republic of Cuba under the Nelson Mandela–Fidel Castro (NMFC) Medical Programme. The send-off was held at the Radisson Hotel in Kempton Park, Johannesburg.
Lehari said the farewell function, attended by senior management of the department, marked a significant milestone in the lives of the learners, who come from rural and historically disadvantaged communities across the province’s four districts. He congratulated the learners on their selection and reminded them of the responsibility that comes with the rare opportunity afforded to them.
“Your selection into this programme is not accidental. You were chosen because of your academic excellence and your potential to change lives. As you go to Cuba, you go as ambassadors of the North West Province and South Africa.
“The NMFC Medical Programme was established to address shortages of doctors in rural and underserved areas, urging the students not to forget their roots. Do not forget where you come from, the communities you leave behind are the same communities that will welcome you back,” said Lehari.
He further said upon completion of their studies, they must return and serve where the need is greatest. Lehari encouraged learners to remain focused, disciplined and committed to their studies, cautioning them against behaviour that could derail their future and the objectives of the programme.
“Last year, the province sent 31 students to Cuba to pursue medical studies. This year, 30 learners have been successfully placed in the programme, reflecting the department’s continued commitment to building a sustainable pipeline of medical doctors for the province,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Programme Coordinator for the Cuban Medical Scholarship, Ouma Kgori, outlined the rigorous selection process, noting that hundreds of applications were received from across the four districts.
“This was a difficult process as it meant that we had to select the best in line with the criteria. We are happy with the outcome because all of you meet the criteria, hence I am confident that you will represent us well,” said Kgori.
Acting Deputy Director-General for Hospitals and Specialised Services, Professor Binu Luke, reaffirmed the department’s commitment to strengthening the health system through human resource development.
“The department is working hard to produce doctors, and you are part of that commitment. You must be ready to come back to work in our hospitals, where our patients need you the most,” said Luke.
The NMFC Medical Programme, rooted in the historic partnership between South Africa and Cuba, continues to play a critical role in improving access to healthcare, particularly in rural areas, by training doctors who understand the challenges faced by their communities.
The Guardian 