19/06/2026
UB ALUM Dr. MONGWA-MOUWANE: BUILDING A HEALTHCARE LEGACY
As a child, I always dreamed of becoming a doctor. My goal was to study medicine at a well-known university abroad, and I worked hard throughout school to achieve excellent results. When I finished high school, I believed I was finally on the path to making that dream come true.
Around that time, the University of Botswana opened its medical school. The government stopped sponsoring medical students to study abroad, which meant many of us could no longer pursue the opportunities we had hoped for. At first, it felt like a major disappointment.
I joined the University of Botswana’s medical programme as part of its very first class in 2014. There were only 36 of us, and we knew we were making history. We felt proud to be pioneers and understood the responsibility of proving that Botswana could train excellent doctors.
Our training was challenging and practical. We learned about the real health issues affecting people in Botswana and gained hands-on experience in local communities. This gave us a deep understanding of the healthcare needs of our country and prepared us well for our future careers.
Today, many of my classmates have gone on to achieve great success. Some are highly respected specialists, including neurosurgeons and trauma surgeons, while others have built successful careers and businesses around the world. Together, we showed that world-class medical training can happen right here at home.
After graduating, I was posted to Pitshane Molopo, a rural village where I quickly learned what it truly means to be a doctor. I often had to make important decisions in difficult situations. Resources were limited, supplies were sometimes unavailable, and there were times when emergency transport could not be accessed.
Those experiences taught me lessons beyond medicine. I learned resilience, leadership, and the value of working closely with communities. Most importantly, I learned that healthcare is not only about medical knowledge, however it is also about compassion, adaptability, and commitment to helping others.
Working in Botswana’s public healthcare system also allowed me to see both its strengths and its challenges. I saw how difficult it could be for some patients to access quality healthcare. Instead of becoming discouraged, I became motivated to help create solutions.
That motivation led me to establish Kalafhi Clinic. My goal was to improve access to quality healthcare and contribute to building a stronger healthcare system. Kalafhi Clinic is more than a business, it is the result of the lessons and experiences that have shaped my journey.
When I look back, I realise that what once seemed like a closed door became the opportunity that defined my career. The University of Botswana did more than train me as a doctor. It helped me grow into a leader, an entrepreneur, and an advocate for better healthcare.
I achieved my dream, not in the way I had originally imagined, but in a way that has been far more meaningful and rewarding.
