What you didn’t know about Limpopo’s Dr Phophi Ramathuba

From her education to her viral videos online. Here's a few things you didn't know about the Limpopo MEC for Health Dr Phophi Ramathuba.

Sep 1, 2022 - 21:03
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What you didn’t know about Limpopo’s Dr Phophi Ramathuba

Medical doctor and Limpopo MEC Phophi Constance Ramathuba is a politician and member of the African National Congress who was born on 15 August 1973.  

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EARLY LIFE AND CAREER OF DR PHOPHI CONSTANCE RAMATHUBA  

The South African politician and medical doctor Phophi Constance Ramathuba has been the Limpopo MEC (Member of the Executive Council) for Health and a Member of the Limpopo Provincial Legislature since May 2015.   

Ramathuba was born on 15 August 1973 at Elim Hospital, Waterval, and grew up in Mashamba. She matriculated at Mbilwi Secondary School in Limpopo province and obtained her bachelor of medicine and a bachelor of surgery degree at the Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (formerly known as MEDUNSA) according to pa.org.  

Ramathuba was an intern at the Mokopane Hospital before getting appointed as the chief executive of the Voortrekker Hospital and the chairperson of the SA Medical Association.  

She was sworn in as a member of Limpopo Provincial Legislation on 27 May 2015 and appointed by premier Stanley Mathabatha as a Member of the Executive Council for Health in the province.   

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.  

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VIRAL VIDEOS ON SOCIAL MEDIA OF THE MEC  

The popular Limpopo MEC has come under fire for several remarks this year such as in January 2022 when she told schoolgirls at the Gwenane Secondary School in Sekgakgapeng to open their books and close their legs.  

BBC reports Ramathuba made the comments in a bid to encourage abstinence and reduce teenage pregnancy rates.  

“To the girl child, I say: Open your books and close your legs. Don’t open your legs, open your books. Thank you very much,” she told students.  

When social media users criticised the remark and questioned why it was only directed at girls, Ramathuba said the message was aimed at boys too.  

The MEC also made headlines in August when a video of her accusing a Zimbabwean foreigner of abusing state resources went viral.   

“You are killing my health system. When you guys are sick you just cross the Limpopo River, there’s a MEC there who is running a charity department.”