HONOURING A PIONEER IN COMMUNITY-BASED HEALTH EDUCATION

From growing up herding cattle and sheep, walking long distance barefooted to school and church, to being at the helm of one of the most prestigious medical schools in the country, distinguished family physician Professor Khaya Mfenyana is a beacon of hope to many.

The journey of the former head of the Family Medicine department at the then University of Transkei and later Walter Sisulu University, was remembered during a public lecture organised to honour Mfenyana’s remarkable contributions to community-based healthcare over his illustrious career spanning 40 years. 

Delivering a keynote address during the 30 September lecture, University of Cape Town’s Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Prof Lionel Green-Thompson, shone the spotlight on social accountability and community engagement.

“To whom shall we account? I think that is the question our people are asking, because we have reached a point in our country where the levels of accountability are weak. So I want to challenge those of us who are medical professions, I want to challenge our sense of accountability at that interpersonal relationship with the patient. True engagement means understanding the lived realities of patients,” said Green-Thompson.

Mfenyana is a trailblazer in family medicine and brains behind the establishment of a community-based approach to health professions education.

He formed the UNITRA Community Health Partnership Project, which led to the development of four community-based primary health care centres, in Mthatha and surrounding rural areas.

Between 1989 to 2016, Mfenyana held various roles within the university, straddling academics and administration.

Not only was he the first Professor and head of Family Medicine department, his roles included faculty vice and acting dean, WSU interim vice-chancellor and principal, and the first director of Health Personnel Education, amongst others.

Talking at the event, Mfenyana expressed heartfelt appreciation for the support he received throughout his career, honouring his past by sharing his journey from a rural boy to a pioneering figure in medical education.

“Thank you to all of you, I am who I am, because of you. A rural boy from Machibini, and I do not want people to forget my roots. My journey as a rural boy tending to sheep and cattle, attending school and church, failing at school, facing social pressures and hardships, all these experiences highlight my resilience and strength”, Mfenyana recalled.

He also thanked the faculty for allowing him the opportunity for continued leadership even during his late retirement.

Mfenyana currently heads the Community-Engaged Scholarship (CES) Programme, themed “Adopt-A-District”.

It is an Asset-Based Community Engagement (ABCE) initiative which aims at addressing priority and achievable community developmental needs.

The public lecture was hosted by the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences in honour of Mfenyana, who is a revered family physician and leader in health professions education.

Titled “Community-Engaged Scholarship-Opportunity for Innovation and Social Transformation”, the lecture was centred around Mfenyana’s commitment to rural and community development.  

Faculty executive Dean, Professor Wezile Chitha, said the faculty organises public lectures in honour of those who played significant roles in the evolution of the faculty, from the time of University of Transkei, to now being Walter Sisulu University.

“This is an opportune time to reflect on the journey travelled thus far, and what is yet to be done. Prof Mfenyana represents that generation of medical professionals whose beliefs and outlook were and, are anchored on social justice and unwavering commitment to the communities from whence they came. His dedication and commitment to the faculty and university in general, is reflected by the different roles he has played over the years,” said Chitha.

By Thandeka Mgqibi