Premier Dr. Phophi Ramathuba speaks at Phalaborwa Rotary Club fundraising gala dinner
The Premier of Limpopo Province, Dr. Phophi Ramathuba, recently spoke at the Phalaborwa Rotary Club‘s fundraising dinner, highlighting a vital campaign to restore sight for hundreds of people. The event aimed to gather R763,000 to cover 100 cataract operations each year at Maphutha Malatji Hospital. The Premier stressed that this effort is more than just about numbers; it is about bringing back hope, dignity, and the ability to see for many grandmothers, grandfathers, and young people who are currently suffering from preventable blindness.
The Premier emphasised the importance of local investment and partnerships between the Provincial Government, organisations like the Phalaborwa Rotary Club, and the business community. This collective effort, guided by the spirit of Ubuntu, is crucial for addressing health backlogs and building a stronger, more caring society, not just for sight restoration but also for broader issues like education, water, and poverty alleviation.
Key details from the event
- Event: The Phalaborwa Rotary Club Fundraising Gala Dinner.
- Speaker: Premier Dr. Phophi Ramathuba of Limpopo Provincial Government.
- Date: 17 October 2025 (as per the speech document).
- Location: Cajori Hotel, Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality, Mopani District.
- Main Purpose: To raise R763,000 to fund 100 cataract operations annually at Maphutha Malatji Hospital. This targets a backlog of over 400 cases.
- Cost per operation: R7,630 per person.
- Key people mentioned:
- Premier Dr. Phophi Ramathuba
- Past President Mr. Conspire Mabaso
- Mopani District Executive Mayor, Cllr Pule Shayi
- Mayor of Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality, Cllr Merriam Malatjie
- Phalaborwa Rotary Club President, Thabiso Mkhombo
- Organisations involved:
- Phalaborwa Rotary Club
- Limpopo Provincial Department of Health
- Limpopo Provincial Government
- Maphutha Malatji Hospital
Full content of the media statement
Premier Dr. Phophi Ramathuba recently delivered an inspiring speech at the Phalaborwa Rotary Club‘s fundraising gala dinner, held at the Cajori Hotel in the Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality, Mopani District. The Premier expressed deep honour and appreciation for the gathering, describing it as a meeting of hearts determined to restore hope, dignity, and possibility.
The event celebrated the spirit of ordinary men and women who take extraordinary action to change lives, reminding everyone that leadership is not just found in high offices. The Premier highlighted the beauty of people coming together to raise funds for a good cause, seeing it as one of humanity’s purest acts, where giving is about uplifting everyone.
She likened fundraising to planting seeds of light in despair and giving water to a thirsty future, quoting the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu: “Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”
The Phalaborwa Rotary Club, established in 1989, was praised as a beacon of service and compassion, guided by its Four-Way Test. The Premier noted that the club has become a moral force, actively seeking solutions to community suffering. This evening’s cause was no exception, focusing on the gift of sight.
The Provincial Government is very thankful to the Phalaborwa Rotary Club, led by President Thabiso Mkhombo, for partnering with the Provincial Department of Health to reduce the backlog of over 400 cataract operations at Maphutha Malatji Hospital. The Premier expressed excitement about this initiative, understanding its profound human impact.
Cataract backlogs represent more than just statistics; they are about real people—grandmothers and grandfathers who can no longer see their grandchildren, fathers unable to work due to blindness, and young people whose dreams are dimmed. This is a backlog of hope that needs to be addressed.
Each cataract operation costs R7,630. The club has set an ambitious but achievable goal of raising R763,000 to restore the vision of 100 patients every year. The Premier urged everyone present not to leave until this target is met, as these are lives waiting to see light again.
The Premier clearly stated that charity is not dependency, and helping others is not a weakness. Investing in people offers the highest return any society can make. She encouraged local efforts, stating, “Let us not wait for foreign donors to come and solve our problems. Those days are gone. We are the help we have been waiting for.” We must build clinics, equip hospitals, strengthen schools, and uplift the poor. More news and updates from the Premier’s office can be found at Premier’s Office News.
She directly addressed the mining sector and business community, asking them to see Corporate Social Investment not as a simple checklist item, but as a true partnership for shared prosperity. Mines operate within communities that provide labour and social acceptance, therefore they should invest not only in what is beneath the ground but also in the potential of the people above it.
Investing in human dignity and life-changing interventions like this cataract surgery drive aligns with the six pillars of nation-building: water and sanitation, education, maternal health, literacy, and poverty alleviation. These are universal priorities, not just those of Rotary.
The Premier concluded by reminding everyone of the mission to restore the soul of Ubuntu—mutual care, human solidarity, and shared destiny. As the saying goes, “Muthu ndi muthu nga vhathu,” meaning a person is a person through others. Giving sight restores humanity; investing in health invests in hope; investing in people builds a nation. The dream of raising R763,000 is not just a dream but a decision that, with open hearts and hands, can become a reality. For more information on provincial initiatives, visit the Limpopo Provincial Government website.
