26 Sep 2019

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi yesterday paid a visit to the family of Dr Nolwandle Mashalaba who passed on September 22.

Dr Mashalaba, a medical doctor, was one of the pioneers of maternal and child health as well as family planning unit in Botswana.

In an interview, family spokesperson Dr Themba Moeti, who is the son to the deceased, said his mother succumbed on September 22 after a short illness and will be laid to rest today.

Dr Mashalaba was born in the Eastern Cape, South Africa in 1932 and moved to Botswana in 1965.

She served as a medical officer at the then Lady Leisching Health Centre until February 1966 and later transferred to Francistown’s Jubilee Hospital until 1968 when she moved back to Gaborone based at Princess Marina Hospital.

He said Dr Mashalaba’s  interests were in maternal health care and family planning.

“She had the health of women and young people at heart,” he said.Dr Moeti said she was behind the establishment of the Family Planning Unit and was one of those who started the Maternal Child Health-Family Planning Unit as well as the nutrition scheme.

“She was put in charge of promoting the family health part  of the division,” he said.

In 1975, he said,  she left Princess Marina Hospital and started focusing on maternal-child health, assisting pregnant women, teaching them family planning and monitoring the growth of their babies. He further said Dr Mashalaba represented Botswana in many forums including the World Health Assembly under WHO.

She was also involved in community outreach and was a founding member of Botswana Family Welfare Association and SOS as well as co-founder of Lady Khama Charitable Trust.

Dr Moeti said his mother was a keen sports person who played bridge and golf.

 “She was a Botswana national golf champion for many years and later became the president of the Botswana Ladies Golf Union,” he said.He described Dr Mashabala as a true leader who loved peace and had the community interests at heart adding that she laid a very good reputation for Botswana primary health care ser.

Appreciating the President’s visit, he said it was a sign of love and compassion.

Dr Mashalaba leaves behind four children, among them WHO regional director for Africa Dr Matshidiso Moeti and seven grand children. Ends