GRADUATE PROFILE | Dr Mthembeni Michael Tebelele

Dr Tebelele comes from that special 1997 class of student activists widely lauded for putting the interests of students ahead of own ambitions during his period of serving in the Thembeka Ngcukaitobi-led Student Representative Council of 12 persons.

More than 25 years after graduating with a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from Walter Sisulu University, Dr Tebelele lives a full circle life as he nowadays serves in the university's council- the highest decision-making body at the institution.

Tebelele, a former chairperson of the Dora Nginza Hospital board, an acclaimed primary healthcare physician and media personality, is one of the 17 esteemed members of the Walter Sisulu University council.

After graduating with MBChB from WSU, when it was still the University of Transkei, back in 1997, Tebelele obtained a Diploma in HIV management from Colleges of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA), in 2004. He then pursued an advanced management certificate from Manchester Business School, acquiring it in 2010.

In 2016, he went on to obtain a Master of Business Administration in Leadership with merit at the University of Liverpool, United Kingdom.

In 2017, the father of three acquired a diploma in life coaching with distinction at SA Blackford Institute in 2017 and a facilitator course certificate from Mandela University in the same year.

Dr Tebelele has one of the most recognisable voices on radio and is very popular amongst listeners of Umhlobo Wenene FM where he gives sexual and reproductive health advise on the station's mid-morning show, Khanyisa Kukhanye.

He has carved a niche for himself as a contributor on the show with throngs of loyal listeners hanging on his every word.

Tebelele is a hit amongst his fans thrilling them with the use of interesting turn of phrases and own lexicon when describing reproductive cells and organs.

Apart from contributing to Umhlobo Wenene FM, where his fans affectionately call him u Gqirha Wempempe (The whistle doctor), the sought-after media and public speaker, is also a regular health content contributor on TruFM every Tuesdays at 10h10am, experting on various health issues.

He is also a public & motivational speaker on various Men’s, Women and couple’s seminars and has his own show on Mpuma Kapa TV on DSTV channel 260.

Serving in the SRC is one of Tebelele’s fondest memories about Unitra/ WSU.

He recalled back in those days that medical students were not popular amongst the student body at large and rarely participated in student politics.

Despite an intensive block work Tebelele was determined to shatter the stereotype and changed the game.

“I still look back with pride and pleasant lifelong lessons and memories being at the Student Union Buildings for a great cause, meeting and mingling with great student leaders of our era such as Thembeka Ngcukaitobi, Luxolo Rubushe, Mandla Lupondwana, and the likes of Mazilazila and Qotywa.

I still feel I was part of great chapter of that era hence returning to serve WSU at Council level, I consider it as a fitting completion of my leadership journey,” Tebelele added.

HISTORY OF MEMBERSHIPS AND BOARDS

• Student Representative for the Faculty of Medicine & Health

Sciences in 1997 for the UNITRA Student Counsel

• Chairperson of Dora Nginza Hospital Board
• SAMA EP branch councilor in 2016/2017
• Secretary General of Mpunzana Development Association (NPO)
• Full member of RUCC-PE Ministries
• Member of Comensa (Coaches and Mentors of SA)
• Member of African Society of Sexual Medicine (ASSM)
• Member of International Society of Sexual Medicine (ISSM)
• Member of South African Medical Association (SAMA)
• Member of SAHIV Society
• Registered with HPCSA
• Member of WSU Council

Compiled By MALIBONGWE DAYIMANI