NUMBER 3 LIMPOPOLIMPOPOAUTUMN 2005 IeaderIeaderDISPATCHES FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF LIMPOPO THETHE UNIN/MEDUNSAUNIN/MEDUNSA MERGERMERGER AllAll thethe factsfacts andand opinionsopinions surroundingsurrounding thethe developmentdevelopment ofof aa fullfull medicalmedical schoolschool forfor LimpopoLimpopo provinceprovince THETHE DRAMADRAMA OFOF BEINGBEING ALIVEALIVE ININ AFRICAAFRICA WhatWhat aa differencedifference aa playwright-in-residenceplaywright-in-residence makesmakes toto thethe performingperforming artsarts atat TurfloopTurfloop MEET THE MERGER VIPs PROFESSOR TEBOGO MOKGORO UNIVERSITY OF LIMPOPO INTERIM COUNCIL CHAIRMAN ‘The merger represents the government’s intention to reverse the effects and ravages of apartheid and to ensure that our institutions of higher learning are repositioned to deliver on the strategic objectives of South African society – and to play a role in the reconstruction of Africa in terms of the principles and objectives of NEPAD. Indeed, we should all be persuaded to see the merger as responding to the drive to create a better South Africa, a better Africa, and a better world.’ See page 12 PROFESSOR MAHLO MOKGALONG UNIVERSITY OF LIMPOPO INTERIM VICE-CHANCELLOR ‘Those involved in the merger will be able to look back with pride on the pioneering role they have played in the establishment of the University of Limpopo. Its genesis is our joint contribution towards the transformation of tertiary education in South Africa. I am keenly aware of the anxieties and uncertainties that may be prevalent among some of our stakeholders. I will ensure that all concerned are kept up to date with regard to the processes and challenges still facing the new institution.’ See page 14 PROFESSOR PETER FRANKS INTERIM CAMPUS PRINCIPAL AT TURFLOOP ‘The University of Limpopo is in a unique position to observe the process of urbanisation, and also the subtler and more complex processes of the move from tribality to so-called modernity. We are building a unique understanding that urban-based universities simply don’t have. With the merger now a reality, we have the opportunity of celebrating our context here by becoming a flagship institution for the whole of the developing world.’ See page 18 DR ANDILE DYASI INTERIM CAMPUS PRINCIPAL AT MEDUNSA ‘We must be prepared to dirty our hands in the effort to uplift the northern parts of the country. Lip service won’t be enough. However, it is of vital importance that we retain the confidence of the health sciences staff. If we do not tread carefully and wisely, we will simply add to the brain drain from the very health care training and services the new University of Limpopo has been established to build up in the north.’ See page 20 P AGE 1 THE GREAT LIMPOPO MERGER – WHICH COMBINES THE TALENTS AND RESOURCES OF MEDUNSA AND UNIN – OCCUPIES CENTRE- STAGE IN THIS ISSUE OF LIMPOPO LEADER. Indeed, no fuller coverage of this exciting but complicated development will be found anywhere in the South African media. This depth of coverage is absolutely justified. The merger is big news. It’ll mean an unprecedented expansion of health education facilities – and health services – in tLimpopo province. Nobody in the province, nor anyone concerned with the fortunes of education and health care in a democratic South Africa, can afford to miss this issue where all the facts and many of the opinions surrounding this major move are clearly set out. Limpopo Leader is published by the Marketing and A particularly pleasing consequence of the merger is that it will Communications Department bring new readers to LIMPOPO LEADER. We accordingly welcome UNIVERSITY OF LIMPOPO MEDUNSA campus staff and students – and thousands of alumni scat- Private Bag X1106 tered all over the country – as partners in a common endeavour. Join us Sovenga 0727 Limpopo Province not only as readers, but as contributors as well. Our invitation to these South Africa constituencies, as our invitation is to all readers, is to subscribe to a magazine that is already doing much to enhance the public image of EDITOR: David Robbins a remarkable institution. Send your cheques to The Editor at the Tel: (011) 792-9951 or address mentioned below. 082-7878099 Another point of interest in this autumn issue of LIMPOPO LEADER ADVERTISING: Gail Robbins takes readers into the fascinating world of community genetics and Tel: (011) 792-9951 or how groundbreaking Turfloop research is leading to improved 082-5721682 protection for thousands of rural families. Or read the remarkable story EDITORIAL COMMITTEE: Aifheli Gelebe of the university’s playwright-in-residence, a position made possible Elizabeth Lubinga since 1998 by the generosity of a major mining house operating in the DK Mohuba (chairman) province. Norman Nyazema David Robbins And here’s another reminder to make use of the letters page. It’s been Gail Robbins squeezed out of this issue by the demands of the merger coverage – but Robby Sandrock it will be back. Address your letters (no more than 150 words, please) PHOTOGRAPHS: Robby Sandrock, photographs to The Editor, PO Box 96306, Brixton 2019, or fax them to on all pages except the following: EDITORIAL (011) 792-7140, or e-mail to [email protected] Giséle Wulfsohn – South Photographs, We look forward to hearing from you. photograph on page 22 David Robbins, photographs on pages 4 (right), 7 (2nd, 5th), 11, 13 (right), 17, 28 Trevor Fish, photographs on page 5 (top), 7 (middle), back cover (right) NEXT ISSUE DESIGN AND LAYOUT: JAM STREET Design The new subsidy framework for higher education is challenging PRINTING: universities to obtain ‘third stream’ income that comes neither from the COLORPRESS PRODUCTION government subsidy nor from student fees, but from a third range of MANAGEMENT: sources. The University of Limpopo is therefore looking for ways to DGR Writing & Research build new relationships with alumni, the private sector and civil society, as well as fee-for-service relationships with provincial government and ARTICLES MAY BE REPRINTED WITH ACKNOWLEDGEMENT big business. Significantly, these new imperatives are encouraging active participation in Limpopo province’s Growth and Development Strategy ISSN: 1812-5468 hammered out at a summit held last October. P AGE 2 IN THIS ISSUE cover picture: A young patient at Mankweng hospital represents a generation which can look forward to a future of improved medical services – thanks to the great LIMPOPO merger page 1: Meet the Merger VIPs page 12: Professor Tebogo Mokgoro. University of Limpopo Interim Council Chairman page 14: Professor Mahlo Mokgalong. University of Limpopo Interim Vice-Chancellor page 18: Professor Peter Franks. Interim Campus Principal at Turfloop page 20: Dr Andile Dyasi. Interim Campus Principal at MEDUNSA page 4: The great UNIN/MEDUNSA merger. All the facts regarding the most significant event in the history of higher education in Limpopo province; the history and the rationale behind the merger. page 8: Who will bring what disciplines to the new merged institution. page 10: A gradualist approach or an ‘aggressive’ one? In spite of the injunction as articulated in the Government Gazette – to relocate MEDUNSA’s physical and human assets to Limpopo – many people believe it would be a mistake to do so too soon. Hear what some experienced MEDUNSA academics, as well as the Limpopo health authorities have to say. page 16: The Premier of Limpopo speaks on the Great Limpopo Merger. page 22: Limpopo leadership in community genetics. One senior health sciences academic at Turfloop looks beyond a likely consequence of the Great Limpopo Merger – the loss of his job – and finds a great deal to be enthusiastic about. page 27: The drama of being alive in Africa. The performing arts are flourishing at Turfloop, thanks to the presence of the university’s very own dramatist in residence. page 30: Performing arts outreach. page 32: Publishing creative writing. The great Limpopo merger UNIN + MEDUNSA = THE UNIVERSITY OF LIMPOPO ON 1 JANUARY THIS YEAR AN IMPORTANT EVENT TOOK PLACE THAT WILL STRENGTHEN HEALTH CARE IN LIMPOPO PROVINCE P AGE 4 THE CHANCES ARE THAT IT WILL DO A LOT MORE THAN THAT FOR HIGHER EDUCATION IN GENERAL AT TURFLOOP. Before we attempt an assessment of the effects, however, we need to understand some of the detail of the momentous event itself. The bald fact is this. At the start of the year the University of the North outside Polokwane was officially merged with the Medical University of tSouthern Africa, situated on the northern edges of Gauteng province, to create a new institution known as the University of Limpopo. The merging process has been protracted and not without difficulties and unhappiness. Many problems remain to be resolved. But the terms of the notice in the Government Gazette (number 23549 of 21 June 2002) are unequivocal. ‘The Ministry of Education should, in consultation with the new institution, assess, investigate and make decisions on the relocation (over the medium to long term) of Medunsa’s programmes and infrastructure to the Northern Province.’ In simplistic terms, then, Limpopo province is in the process of getting its own fully fledged medical school. This is spectacularly good news for a region that has traditionally been under-endowed – at least from a health care point of view. Consider just one statistic: the doctor/population ratio in the old Lebowa homeland (now a part of Limpopo, of course) was at one time 1:27 000, while in certain parts of Gauteng the parallel ratio was less than 1:500. Three cheers, then, for a merger that begins to redress such inequities, and whose intent is clearly in line with the national policy of decentralising South Africa’s intellectual expertise and academic capacity. But the process now begun is far from straightforward. There are cons as well as pros. Those people hoping at any moment to see a line of removal vans bringing north all the high-tech paraphernalia of a medical school and tertiary hospital – not to mention the busloads of academics and medical scientists necessary to staff one – will inevitably be disappointed.