The head of the Tshivhase Kingdom, Mailausumbwa Kennedy Tshivhase, praised medical pioneer Professor Nyaweleni Tshifularo, urging learners to emulate his dedication, discipline and commitment to education.
Tshivhase spoke after learning of Tshifularo’s successful separation of conjoined twins at Mankweng Hospital on Tuesday, 17 March. He said Tshifularo’s journey from humble beginnings in rural Limpopo to becoming a globally respected surgeon should inspire young people to believe in the power of education.
“Professor Tshifularo has done us very proud, demonstrating that with hard work, discipline and dedication to education, anything is possible. Our learners must look at his life and realise that greatness can come from our villages if they remain focused on their studies and are determined to succeed,” he said.
Tshivhase added that Tshifularo’s achievements had not only brought pride to him and the people of Vhembe, but had also placed Limpopo firmly on the global map of medical innovation.
Tshifularo made international headlines after leading a groundbreaking procedure at Mankweng Hospital, where a multidisciplinary team successfully separated conjoined twins. The surgery has been hailed as a major medical breakthrough and a demonstration of the expertise within South Africa’s public healthcare system.
Limpopo Premier Phophi Ramathuba also praised Tshifularo and his team. “Through skilled hands, innovation and unity, the team achieved what many thought impossible, giving the twins a new lease on life and bringing hope to countless families,” she said.
Former school principal Professor Itani Phanuel Matamba, who taught Tshifularo during his matric year in 1985 at Mbilwi Secondary School, described him as an exemplary learner even in his early years.
“Even during his school days, Tshifularo showed remarkable dedication to his studies … He was disciplined, focused and always eager to learn. It was clear even then that he was destined for great things,” Matamba recalled.
Tshifularo also comes from a strong academic family. His brother, Mashudu Tshifularo, is a world-renowned ENT specialist who led the team that performed the world’s first middle-ear transplant using 3D-printed bones in 2019. Another relative, JG Tshifularo, is a well-known psychologist and former principal of Vhembe TVET College, highlighting the family’s long-standing contribution to education, science and professional excellence.