18 aspiring doctors selected for Gauteng’s Cuba medical programme

By Charmaine Ndlela

The Gauteng Department of Health has selected 18 young people from disadvantaged communities across the province to study medicine in Cuba through the Nelson Mandela Fidel Castro (NMFC) Medical Training Programme.

The latest cohort, comprising 10 males and eight females, was selected from 2,480 applicants following a competitive recruitment process launched in May 2025.

Among those selected is 20-year-old Zezethu Swelindawo from Cosmo City in Johannesburg, who described the opportunity as a life-changing step towards her dream of becoming a doctor.

The candidates were selected from all five Gauteng districts — Tshwane, Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni, Sedibeng and the West Rand.

Of the 2,480 applications received, 740 candidates met the qualifying criteria and progressed to the next stage. A further 91 were shortlisted based on their academic performance, socio-economic circumstances and potential contribution to the healthcare sector.

The shortlisted candidates came from households with an annual income of R350,000 or less, with preference given to learners from Quintile 1 to 3 schools.

The final selection followed an assessment process that included home visits, interviews and background evaluations.

The department said academic performance was not the only consideration, with candidates also assessed on their commitment to serving their communities and improving healthcare outcomes in South Africa.

The successful candidates will undertake medical studies in Cuba before returning to South Africa for clinical integration at local universities.

They are expected to join the public healthcare system and contribute to improving access to healthcare, particularly in underserved communities where shortages of medical professionals remain a challenge.

The NMFC programme was established through an agreement between former South African president Nelson Mandela and former Cuban president Fidel Castro to help address the shortage of doctors in South Africa, particularly in rural, underserved and previously disadvantaged communities.

The Cuban medical training model places strong emphasis on primary healthcare, disease prevention and health promotion, which the department said aligns with South Africa’s healthcare priorities.

The Gauteng Department of Health said the programme was helping build a pipeline of medical professionals to strengthen primary healthcare and improve service delivery.

To date, 463 Gauteng students have graduated through the programme and are employed at public healthcare facilities across the province.

The department said the graduates were contributing to patient care and service delivery, while the latest cohort would continue the programme’s focus on addressing socio-economic barriers to medical education and the unequal distribution of healthcare professionals.

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