Prof Lebitsi Maud Modiba is the widow of Prof MCM Modiba. She served as a Professor of Nursing at
the University of South Africa until retiring in 2021. She holds a PhD in Nursing (Midwifery) from the
University of Johannesburg (2003), has contributed chapters to several books, published numerous
articles in national and international journals and regularly presented at conferences, nationally and
internationally. In her retirement she continues to supervise Masters and Doctoral students.
Q. As a nurse, teacher and academic, how did your experience in the healthcare sector motivate you
to start a project that funds local medical students?
I have experienced shortages of doctors in the health services and it is worse in the rural areas of
South Africa, including in Limpopo, where I was born and raised. There are a lot of of challenges
today because of this such as emergencies being unattended because the few doctors on call are
held up elsewhere. I feel that more supported and funded projects should be started for medical
students, some of whom even head families because the parents died.
Q. Reflecting on Prof Mphako Charles Martin Modiba’s contribution to South Africa’s healthcare
system, do you think that he would have been supportive of funding aspiring doctors? Why?
Yes! Like me, he came from the background of rural Limpopo and a great shortage of doctors. On his
journey as a surgeon he worked so hard to make a contribution and make a difference in the lives of
black students, by being a visionary leader channelling them to great things in their lives. He gave his
life as a surgeon and a transplant surgeon to produce critical thinking leaders in the field. He was an
advocate for black medical students and championed their success.
Q. The Professor MCM Modiba Scholarship Fund celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2023. How do you
feel about the Fund’s achievements to date?
I would put this as 50/50. What we have achieved so far shows the dedication of the board members
but, on the other hand, I wish we could have achieved more. Unfortunately, the members of the
board are working full-time so have limited time to contribute to the operation of the Fund.
Q. What would you like to see the organisation achieve in the next 10 years?
I would like to see the organisation receive more donor funding so that more students from
disadvantaged backgrounds will benefit from the scholarship.
Q. What do you think Prof Charles Modiba would have said about this project, i.e. the fact that his
legacy is being acknowledged, that the Fund bears his name and that it boasts a number of
successes?
I think he would be proud of us for continuing to fight for his legacy, that he is being acknowledged
by the fund bearing his name and that this was founded and is run by the Modiba family.