Phophi Ramathuba

Phophi Constance Ramathuba (born 15 August 1973) is a South African politician and medical doctor. She has been the Limpopo MEC (Member of the Executive Council) for Health and a Member of the Limpopo Provincial Legislature since May 2015. Ramathuba is a member of the African National Congress.

Phophi Ramathuba
MPL
Limpopo MEC for Health
Assumed office
27 May 2015
PremierStanley Mathabatha
Preceded byMaaria Ishmael Kgetjepe
Member of the Limpopo Provincial Legislature
Assumed office
27 May 2015
Personal details
Born (1973-08-15) 15 August 1973
Elim Hospital, Waterval, Transvaal Province, South African[1]
Political partyAfrican National Congress
Children2
Alma materSefako Makgatho Health Sciences University
University of Pretoria
OccupationMember of the Executive Council
ProfessionPolitician

Early life and career

Ramathuba was born on 15 August 1973 at Elim Hospital, Waterval and grew up in Mashamba, then part of South Africa's Transvaal Province.[1][2] She is one of five children. She matriculated at Mbilwi Secondary School and studied at the Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (formerly known as MEDUNSA), where she obtained a bachelor of medicine and a bachelor of surgery degree. From the University of Pretoria, she received a master's degree in medical pharmacology. Ramathuba had also fulfilled courses in health and business leadership.[2]

Ramathuba started her career as an intern at the Mokopane Hospital.[2] Prior to being appointed to the Limpopo provincial government, she was the chief executive of the Voortrekker Hospital and the chairperson of the SA Medical Association.[3]

Political career

Ramathuba is a long-standing member of the African National Congress. She serves as a member of the party's provincial executive committee. On 27 May 2015, Ramathuba was sworn in as a member of the Limpopo Provincial Legislature, representing the ANC.[3] On the same day, premier Stanley Mathabatha appointed her Member of the Executive Council for Health, succeeding Maaria Ishmael Kgetjepe. The changes came into effect immediately.[4][5]

Ramathuba was re-elected to the provincial legislature in the 2019 Limpopo provincial election held on 8 May. On 22 May 2019, Mathabatha announced that she would remain as Health MEC.[6]

In January 2022, Ramathuba came under criticism for telling schoolgirls at the Gwenane Secondary School in Sekgakgapeng to "open your books and close your legs".[7][8]

In August 2022 Ramathuba's remarks to a bed-ridden Zimbabwean patient in Bela-Bela, went viral.[9] On the video she accused foreigners of abusing state resources allocated to South African Nationals stating: “you are killing my health system. When you guys are sick you just cross the Limpopo River, there’s an MEC there who is running a charity department.”[10] Politicians such as EFF MP Mbuyiseni Ndlozi and Mmusi Maimane criticized Ramathuba for humiliating the patient and called for the revocation of her medical licence.[11]

Personal life

Ramathuba has two daughters.[2] On 1 July 2020, Mathabatha announced that Ramathuba had tested positive for COVID-19.[12]

References
  1. "#InTheSpotlight DR PHOPHI RAMATHUBA – MEC OF HEALTH IN LIMPOPO". iono.fm. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  2. Huisman, Biénne (15 April 2020). "Phophi Ramathuba, a Health MEC out of touch and out of place". The Daily Maverick. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  3. Moloto, Moloko (27 May 2015). "Dr Ramathuba sworn in as MPL". IOL. Polokwane. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  4. "Limpopo Premier announces cabinet reshuffle". www.sanews.gov.za. Pretoria. 27 May 2015. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  5. Nengovhela, Kaizer (28 May 2015). "Mashamba resident is the new MEC for health". Zoutnet. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  6. "Limpopo Premier appoints new cabinet". Letaba Herald. 22 May 2019. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  7. "South Africa minister tells schoolgirls to 'open books and close legs'". BBC News. 13 January 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  8. "'Open your books and close your legs' - Limpopo health MEC slammed over back to school message". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  9. Nyambabvu, Gilbert (24 August 2022). "Embarrassment for Harare regime as SA minister rages at Zim migrants burden on healthcare services; 'Mnangagwa doesn't give me money to treat you' – she tells patient". NewZimbabwe.com. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
  10. MAHOPO, ZOE. "Limpopo health MEC's tongue lashing against 'illegal' patient divides opinion". SowetanLIVE. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
  11. HourlyHits (24 August 2022). "EFF demands firing of Limpopo's Health MEC for humiliating Zimbabwean patient". HourlyHits. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
  12. Limpopo MEC tests positive for Covid-19
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