Dr Pule Matjoa was remembered for pushing dental education, specialist services and oral health priorities in the Free State.
The late Dr Pule Matjoa has been described as a pioneer in the Free State dentistry department.. That is according to his former colleague, Dr Teboho Makenete.. Dr Makenete says that Dr Matjoa worked tirelessly with dedication and commitment to teach and nurture young dentists within the provincial department of health.. Dr Makenete says that through his diplomacy and political background, Dr Matjoa worked hard to convince those in government that oral health was important..
Makenete was speaking at the funeral service of the 88-year-old Dr Matjoa in Bloemfontein.. “Through his influence and diplomacy, we were able to have a specialist health care facility here at Pelonomi Hospital offering… orthodontist services for the first time in the Free State.. We also have a programme here where we can send our dentists to universities that are identified in Gauteng.. Through this programme, we now have dentists in free states who are
specialists.. This is highly commendable, as the free state does not have a dental school.. This is the legacy that Dr Matjoa leaves behind.” Meanwhile, the deceased’s neighbour, Doctor Nepo Masithela, has described him as a loving and empathetic person.. “He even went further to say that I am not only calling you a neighbour; you need to understand the richness of African languages… We scratch each other’s backs.. When you smile, I smile.. That
is why he showed his love last year, in September.. He supported me when he attended my mother’s funeral; he said, “Your pain is my pain.. That is why you are my neighbour.” Funeral of ANC struggle stalwart Dr Pule Matjoa is underway in Bloemfontein