By Agreement Mabunda
BOCHABELA VILLAGE – Dr. Mike Mikia Ramothwala, the Senior Clinical Manager at Letaba Hospital, celebrates his 36th birthday today, January 30th.
Born and raised in Bochabela Village, located between Giyani and Kgapane, Ramothwala ‘s journey from a small village to becoming a prominent healthcare leader is an inspiring testament to hard work, passion, and dedication.
He is known affectionately as “Dr. Mike or Revolutionary Doctor “ is the middle child in a large family. He shared with Tzanen Voice that growing up in a family of many siblings helped shape his love for people and community.
“I grew up in a very big family, and that’s why I enjoy being around people,” he remarked.
From an early age, Ramothwala had an innate curiosity about science and medicine, largely inspired by his time accompanying his late grandmother, Elsie Malatji, to clinics for her chronic medication. “Growing up, I used to accompany my late grandmother to get her chronic medication, and I got fascinated by the work that the nurses there were doing. So from a very young age, I knew that I either wanted to be a nurse or a doctor,” he recalled.
His passion for medicine grew stronger as he pursued his studies at the University of Cape Town after passing his Grade 12 at Merensky High School. Like many future doctors, he was deeply influenced by his university lecturers.
He credits them, along with Limpopo Premier Dr. Phophi Ramathuba, for inspiring his dedication to medicine.
“My strongest influencers have been my varsity lecturers, who made me fall in love with different aspects of medicine.
Recently, our premier Dr. Phophi Ramathuba, has also inspired me with how hard she works to improve our healthcare system,” he shared.
In 2017, Dr. Ramothwala achieved a significant milestone in his career when he became the youngest Senior Clinical Manager at Letaba Hospital at the age of 28. Reflecting on this achievement, he expressed immense pride.
“I am proud of being appointed as the youngest Senior Clinical Manager at the age of 28,” he said. This role has allowed him to directly impact the hospital’s services, and he continues to push for improvements, such as introducing specialized services like Renal Dialysis.
His vision for Letaba Hospital is ambitious. He believes that with continued growth and development, Letaba could eventually be classified as a tertiary hospital. “In the near future, we can be classified as a tertiary hospital,” he added, outlining his aspirations for expanding healthcare services in the region.
Beyond his work in medicine, he has a diverse range of interests. He is a chess enthusiast, a runner, a businessman, and an active member of the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) National Executive Committee (NEC).
His multifaceted life is a testament to his commitment to personal growth and his dedication to serving his community in various ways.
As a role model to many young people, Dr. Ramothwala encourages others to believe in themselves and work hard to achieve their dreams. “It is very important to have positive role models and to learn from those who have achieved what you are trying to achieve,” he said. “As young people, we must believe in ourselves, our dreams, and work hard to achieve them.”
Dr. Mike Mikia Ramothwala ‘s 36th birthday is not just a celebration of his personal life but also a moment to recognize his outstanding contributions to healthcare in Limpopo and beyond. His journey is a shining example of what is possible with passion, dedication, and a commitment to making a difference in the lives of others.
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