Health sector left poorer
‘Montsioa was a fearless activist’
The provision of primary healthcare services in the City of Johannesburg has been dealt a heavy blow with the passing on of regional health director for the city’s Region F, Oupa Johan Montsioa.
Abuti Oupa, as he was affectionately known, passed away following a short illness on July 30. He was laid to rest after a service at his home in Chloorkop near Kempton Park on Tuesday.
During a moving virtual memorial service held in his honour, colleagues and friends shared stories of how Montsioa was a fearless community health activist and a stickler for perfection who did everything by the book.
In her eulogy, the City of Johannesburg
MMC for health and social development Cllr Eunice Mgcina lauded Montsioa’s leadership in the war against the Covid-19 and praised his tenacity in the face of the pandemic that has put an extra burden on the city’s healthcare professionals.
A qualified professional nurse, Montsioa was described as a workaholic and a revolutionary who was not shy to get his hands dirty and even worked on weekends.
His colleagues further said Montsioa had a heart of gold and cared for both the community and staff alike as evidenced by his relentless fight for the marginalised and the poor.
They also paid tribute to his multi-skilled nature and said he was an all-round firm leader who commanded respect from friend and foe alike.
Born in the Free State town of Kroonstad on August 29 1963, Montsioa matriculated at Kananelo secondary and worked in construction before training as a nurse at Tembisa Hospital where he qualified as a professional nurse.
He then worked at Lesley William Mining Hospital, Hillbrow Hospital, Netcare Rand Clinic and at the Alexandra Health Centre. He went on to serve at the East Rand regional health department as a deputy director before joining the City of Johannesburg in 2003.
As a member of the SA Health Workers’ Congress and a member of the People’s Health Movement, Montsioa was also in the forefront of the development of free health systems and services for the people and believed strongly in “health in the hands of the people”. He contributed to policy development and transformation in issues of district health provision, speakers said.
He is survived by his wife, two sons and five siblings.