HEALTH MINISTER MOURNS THE DEATH OF TWO SA STUDENTS IN CUBA

11 May 2004

The Minister of Health, Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, regrets to announce the death of two South African medical students studying in Cuba.

The two students were killed in car accident in Santa Clara, more than 400 kilometres out of the Cuban capital city of Havana on Sunday, May 09.

Daniel Tinyiko Nkuna (28) of North-West province died instantly and Maureen Thulile Mbatha (25) of KwaZulu-Natal died later at the hospital. They were both doing their second year in medicine.

Three other students who were in the same vehicle are in a stable condition at Santa Clara Hospital in Cuba. They are Khumo Mogawane, Mpho Rapulana and Bonolo Moncho all from North West province.

These students were travelling from the Ten Year Celebration function organised by the South African Embassy in Havana.

The Minister expresses her deepest condolences to the Nkuna and Mbatha families. "The Government of South Africa and the Department of Health in particular has received the devastating news of the demise of these two students with deepest shock.

"Their untimely death did not only rob their families of a son and a daughter, but it is actually a loss to the nation as a whole. This unfortunate road accident has shattered the dreams of the communities of Hammanskraal (North-West) and Vryheid (KZN) who were looking forward to receiving these young people as doctors that would serve the community.

"Like the rest of our students in Cuba, Thulile and Tinyiko have been the source of inspiration to us in making sure that we deliver quality health care service to the people of our country," said the Minister.

She also wished the three students injured during the accident a speedy recovery.

The Department of Health and the SA Mission in Cuba has initiated the required procedures to return mortal remains of these students to South Africa. They are expected to arrive in South Africa on Friday, May 14.

The two deceased students are part of 309 South African students studying in Cuba through a government-to-government agreement with that country.

In August 2001, another SA student, Thabo Daniel Skhosana from the Northern Province died after a drowning incident in Havana.

A total of 24 students have completed their studies in Cuba since the programme was initiated in 1997. A further 33 students are expected to return to South Africa in August this year (end of Cuban academic year)
Issued by
Ministry of Health

Contact
Sibani Mngadi
Spokesperson for the Minister of Health
0827720161