Moyahabo Mabeba

Moyahabo Mabeba

Students going to Cuba to study medicine have been warned of the lure of cigars and partying at the expense of study and success.

The warning comes from the head of the Limpopo department of health and social development, which is sending 10 young aspirant medical doctors to Cuba to pursue their studies in medicine.

At their farewell on Tuesday, head of department Jabulile Dlamini did not mince her words when she urged the aspirant doctors to maintain a "high level of self-discipline".

Dlamini said she had been to Cuba. She said she had observed that the Cubans were heavy cigar smokers who also indulged in drinking.

She advised the candidates to be focused when they are there.

"When you are there, you need to remember that you are not representing yourselves but South Africa as a country.

"You need to behave as true ambassadors because any misconduct would impact negatively on both our department and the country," she said.

"The main aim of this programme is to assist our province and others to be able to provide health services to rural and other disadvantaged communities and to develop adequate health services at clinics, hospitals and other health centres," said Dlamini.

Thanking the department for the opportunity, the students' representative, Rose-Mary Mbiza, 20, gave an assurance that they "promise to give this our level best and rest assured that we will never disappoint this country".