Two youths from Musina, Future Maluleke and Reason Kgopana (both 22), have been selected to study medicine in Cuba.

The course includes a year of Spanish, a foundation course and five years of medical studies. Maluleke and Kgopana are among 110 beneficiaries of the South African Cuban Scholarship programme in Limpopo. 

Before they jetted off, the Mayor of Musina, Cllr Mihloti Ramoyada, presented them with a laptop computer each to assist them in their studies.

Ramoyada said the people of Musina were proud of the two youths who are going to further their studies, so that they can come back and address the shortage of doctors in the country. “The shortage of medical professionals is the biggest concern facing the future of the South African medical profession. Taking into consideration that the two youths come from indigent families whose parents cannot afford paying university tuition, we should thank the government of the day for opening up opportunities for learning to disadvantaged South Africans. We have no doubt that these two youths will represent us well in Cuba.”

Future Maluleke, who stays at Musina Skoonplaas, says he is very happy to be afforded the opportunity to study medicine in Cuba. He explains how his dream of studying medicine in Cuba came true: “I was in a queue looking for a job at Messina Hospital, because my parents could not afford to take me to university. I then saw the South African Cuban Scholarship application forms and decided to try my luck. I filled them out and supplied all the relevant information as requested. I could not believe my ears when I got a call from the Department of Health that I had been selected. The rest is now history and I’m looking forward to this life-changing opportunity.”

Reason Kgopana, who also stays in Musina Skoonplaas, says that he will definitely work very hard and "I will never disappoint the people of Musina. My dream is to come back and work as a doctor here in Messina Hospital," he said.