HONOURING A LIFE OF FORTITUDE: THE LATE EMERITUS PROFESSOR HHS KAKAZA REMEMBERED IN A PUBLIC LECTURE

The life of the late Emeritus Professor Sivuyile Harris Kakaza, marked by unwavering resilience and dedication to medicine and education, was remembered during a public lecture held to honour his memory recently.

The Walter Sisulu University’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences remembered the giant recently.

The lecture, held under the theme “40 Years of Rural Medical Education,” also shone the spotlight on the rich tapestry of the faculty in which Kakaza contributed significantly towards its success-specifically through establishing and growing its acclaimed 40-year-old medical school.

Faculty Executive Dean, Prof Wezile Chitha, said these lectures, each dedicated to honouring the visionary leaders who have shaped the faculty’s journey, were an important celebration of the faculty’s 40^th anniversary.

“These public lectures form part of our efforts to reflect on and document our story as a faculty. These reflections enable us to appreciate the road travelled thus far, to appreciate the achievements, identify challenges and more importantly, how we need to respond to present and future roles expected of the faculty,” Chitha highlighted.

A list of speakers lauded Kakaza for having forged a good working relation with an equally visionary academic- Professor Xaba-Mokeona, with whom he shared deep passion for education.

The pair’s dedication led to the establishment of a new medical school at the then fledgling University of Transkei with Xaba-Mokoena taking reigns as its founding dean.

Born in the village of Hackney in Whittlesea, Kakaza, a decorated clinician and leader in health professions education, was appointed as the first Head of the Department of Internal Medicine around 1986, where he laid the groundwork for clinical education.

His efforts also extended to the administration of education, as he went on to serve as the faculty’s third Dean in 1991 until 1994.

“His leadership with Xaba-Mokoena resulted in the then Unitra’s Faculty of Medicine and Umtata General Hospital, being renowned amongst black medical students as a haven for internships and medical officer positions,” Chitha added.

In the 1980s, Kakaza was diagnosed with sarcoidosis and placed on steroids, which resulted in him having diabetes and peripheral vascular disease. In the early 1990s, both legs were amputated.

However, despite the societal stigma around disability, Kakaza was said to have adapted by getting prosthetic limbs and a reconfigured car. This allowed him to continue his clinical and teaching duties well beyond retirement, until January 2001, when he passed away.

Using Kakaza’s life as a testament to thriving though adversity, guest speaker Prof Pindile Mntla, delivered his address which centred on “fortitude as a cornerstone of human resilience.”

“Fortitude is not just about surviving adversity, whether personal, professional, or societal, but rather thriving despite it. Prof Kakaza was never spared from it, however despite all, his never-die spirit persisted. So, as we face our own challenges, let us draw inspiration from the likes of Kakaza, those who have shown us what it means to have fortitude and resilience,” Mntla said.

Meanwhile at home, Kakaza's commitment to the pursuit of learning was no different. Together with his wife Ntombi, he raised three accomplished children - a statistician, internal auditor and a neurologist.

Speaking on behalf of the family, neurologist Prof Mandisa Kakaza, expressed deep gratitude to the university for honouring her father’s exceptional life.

“After so many years since my father’s passing, he is still being honoured for his great works. It shows that his impact and enduring legacy still lives on even today. As a family, we are humbled and proud that this place that he loved wholeheartedly and called home, has not forgotten him,” she said.

She added that her father’s enduring faith in UNITRA, allowed all three siblings to pursue their degrees there.

In honour of his memory, Chitha said faculty publicly commits to continue Kakaza’s legacy of medical education as a vehicle for societal development.

By Thandeka Mgqibi