UP pays tribute to Professor Mochichi Samuel Mokgokong, former head of the Department of Neurosurgery in UP’s Faculty of Health Sciences, who passed away on 24 January surrounded by loved ones.

It is with deep sadness that the University of Pretoria (UP) received the news of the passing of Professor Mochichi Samuel Mokgokong, former head of the Department of Neurosurgery in UP’s Faculty of Health Sciences.

He is well known for being part of the surgical team that separated conjoined twins Mpho and Mphonyana Mathibela in 1986 at what is now known as Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. He also headed the surgical teams for three separations of craniopagus conjoined twins and has trained more than 15 neurosurgeons, including the youngest neurosurgeon in Africa, in 2017. 

“Prof Mokgokong was an extraordinary neurosurgeon, mentor and one of a handful of surgeons around the world who has experience with the surgical separation of craniopagus twins,” said Prof Mike Sathekge, head of the Department of Nuclear Medicine at UP and CEO of Nuclear Medicine Research Infrastructure. “Among his many accolades, Prof Mokgokong led a team that performed the first successful separation of conjoined twins without resulting neurologic deficits. His legacy will be engraved in our hearts, serving as an eternal reminder of the indelible impact he made on our careers.”

Prof Mokgokong moved from the Medical University of South Africa (now Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University) to UP, where he became head of the Department of Neurosurgery at Steve Biko Academic Hospital. This proved to be a particularly difficult time for him, which he often described as the most turbulent period in his career, having to deal with several difficult transitional and transformational issues. He managed this period, however, with the kind of strength and tenacity that would define his tenure at UP. Prof Mokgokong also served as Chair of the Health Professions Council of South Africa.                                                                                             

He held several academic and clinical positions during his illustrious career, including as an emeritus professor at UP, head of Tembisa Hospital’s Adult Intensive Care and High Care Units, an emeritus professor and acting head of neurosurgery at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University and Dr George Mukhari Hospital. 

He was a member of the South African Medical Council, the Health Professions Council of South Africa, the South African Medical Association, the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa, and the South African Neurosurgical Association. Additionally, he was a council member of the Critical Care Society of South Africa. 

Prof Mokgokong held a BSc from the University of the North, a medical degree from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), an MMed in Neurosurgery from the Medical University of South Africa, and a DSc of Public Health (honoris causa) from the University of Venda for Science and Technology. 

He has received several accolades for his work. In 2022, UKZN honoured him with a Living Legend Award for his invaluable contribution to the medical field, and for his leadership, scholarly work and community outreach programmes. He also received the CEO Award for the Best Employee at Steve Biko Academic Hospital in 2017, the Order of Merit Award for Outstanding Contribution in the Medical Field from the Executive Reserve Club in 1999, and the University of the North’s Onkgopotse Tiro Order of Merit Award in 2000. Impressively, he was awarded the Tribute Achievers Health Category Award in 2000, presented by Thabo Mbeki, who was president of South Africa at the time.

Prof Mokgokong advised students to, “Stay in school and specialise instead of going into private practice to make money, because once you’re a specialist, you can impart your knowledge and expertise, and become an even bigger success.”

“He was an exceptional person, with a great sense of humour and tremendous insight,” said Prof Llewellyn Padayachy, head of the Department of Neurosurgery at UP. “He will be sorely missed.”