Durban -
One of the two KwaZulu-Natal medical students expelled from their course in Cuba for taking part in an illegal strike will return to finish his studies.
The second would meet Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi for a second time because the minister wanted to ensure that he “understands the expectations his nation has of him”, provincial Health MEC Sibongiseni Dhlomo said on Wednesday.
The two were among six students in their fifth year who were sent home in disgrace last month after the Health Department and the Cuban government terminated their studies.
This was after they had boycotted classes to demand that their R1 600 monthly stipend be increased by 300 percent. They also wanted better meals, saying they received pork every day, and complained about “appalling” living conditions.
On Wednesday, Dhlomo said his office was arranging the men’s return. All six students were expected to write their final exams in September before coming home for their final year.
“The minister interviewed the students one by one because he wanted to make sure that each of them understands what is expected of them,” said Dhlomo.
“One of the students from KZN will soon be going back to Cuba as the minister has finished talking to him. The minister interviewed the second student, but wants him back again for a further talk.”
Dhlomo said the department would not give in to the students’ demands.
“They are already enjoying a lot of privileges. We even gave them laptops. Many students in South African universities are sponsored by the department but not getting what students in Cuba are getting.”
Dhlomo said the South African embassy in Cuba would keep in touch with the students to ensure their grievances were addressed.
Kgoputso Pege, the chairwoman of the Junior Doctors’ Association, which monitored the hearings, said the association had established an international affairs office to handle complaints made by medical students abroad.
“It was felt that the students should be forgiven since their behaviour was unintentional,” she said. “They are about to complete their studies as they are in their clinical year.”
She said the association had not been directly involved in the students’ hearings but had supported them because they were about to become doctors.
When the students returned last month, the head of the KZN Health Department, Sibongile Zungu, expressed anger about their “ungratefulness” for the opportunity they had been given.
Zungu said they had embarrassed South Africa in a foreign country.
The Mercury