Mary Malahlela facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mary Susan Makobatjatji Malahlela-Xakana
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| Born | 2 May 1916 |
| Died | 8 May 1981 (aged 65) |
| Nationality | South African |
| Alma mater | University of Fort Hare University of the Witwatersrand |
| Known for | First Black African woman medical doctor in South Africa |
| Awards | Order of the Baobab |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Medicine |
Mary Malahlela-Xakana was an amazing South African doctor. She made history in 1947 by becoming the very first black woman to officially become a medical doctor in her country. She also helped start the YWCA in South Africa.
Contents
Her Early Life and School Days
Mary Susan Makobatjatji Malahlela was born in a place called Pietersburg (now Polokwane). Her father, Thadius Chweu Malahlela, was a Christian. He had to leave his home because he refused to harm his twin children. In some cultures, twins were sadly thought to be a bad sign.
As a young girl, Mary went to the Methodist Primary School in Juliwe, near Johannesburg. She then studied at the University of Fort Hare. In 1941, she received special help from the Native Trust Fund to study medicine. This allowed her to attend the University of the Witwatersrand.
In 2015, the University of the Witwatersrand put up a special plaque. This plaque remembers Dr. Malahlela and helps correct past unfairness. It celebrates the important contributions of black students who studied there.
Her Medical Career
In 1947, Mary Malahlela finished medical school. She officially became a medical doctor, making her the first black woman in South Africa to achieve this. She opened her own doctor's office in Kliptown. Later, she opened a second office in Mofolo South.
After a law called the Group Areas Act was passed, she started working at a clinic in Dobsonville. This law forced different racial groups to live in separate areas.
Working for Change
Dr. Malahlela was not just a doctor; she was also a leader. She helped start the YWCA in South Africa. This group helps young women grow and develop.
She was also very active in movements that worked for peace and against Apartheid. Apartheid was a system of unfair racial separation in South Africa. She was part of the Women's Peace Movement. She also served on the Fort Hare University Council and led the Roodepoort School Board.
Her Family and Legacy
Mary Malahlela got married and had two daughters. She passed away in 1981 at the age of 65. She had a heart attack while volunteering at a rural clinic in Sandton, Johannesburg. She was helping people alongside another doctor, Nthato Motlana.
Today, a primary school in Dobsonville is named after Dr. Malahlela-Xakana. In 2015, she received a very special award called the Order of the Baobab. This award was given to her after her death to honor her amazing work as a pioneering medical doctor.
See also
In Spanish: Mary Malahlela para niños
