Q&A – Doctor Kgaogelo Edward Legodi

Atrailblazer understands the importance of focusing on what he is passionate about and proficient in. And for Dr Kgaogelo Edward Legodi, his primary focus is improving the health of the collective.

That is his passion, and he has dedicated his life and time to his craft. When he is not managing and overseeing his passion project, Mpudulle Eye Clinic, he is working at Mediclinic Medforum in Pretoria and was at Donald Gordon Hospital in Johannesburg. He also operated as a sessional specialist at One Military Hospital and was engaged with sessional work at Pretoria Academic Hospital (Steve Biko) teaching and training retina specialists. Next to his practice, he is involved locally in improving the ophthalmology service offering in South Africa and the rest of the continent. He is the former President of the Ophthalmology Society of South Africa (OSSA) and was the World Ophthalmology Congress President in 2020. He is a member of the South African Vitreo Retinal Society (SAVRS), South African Medical Association (SAMA), and Former Councillor of the College of Medicine in SA (CMSA).

Continuing the Legacy of Service

Born in Atteridgeville in Gauteng, Legodi was educated in Gauteng and Limpopo before embarking on his tertiary studies at the Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (formerly Medical University of South Africa). On completion of his studies, he was stationed at a rural hospital in Limpopo at Tintswalo Hospital in Acornhoek where he undertook his internship and gained valuable experience. From there he moved to Voortrekker Hospital, and despite a few challenges that came with the times and political climate, he continued to attain his postgraduate at the Nelson Mandela Medical School at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in 1999. In 2003, he then qualified to be one of the very few black eye specialists (ophthalmologist) in South Africa.

As he embarked on his career, Legodi always had a dream of building a specialist eye hospital – a project which he and his wife (a fellow doctor) passionately believed in.

His dream of becoming an eye specialist and building an eye hospital stemmed from a lived experience of observing his grandparents. His grandfather was a priest who always had dreams of Legodi becoming a doctor. In addition to this, he was one of the leaders of Bosele School of the Blind and Deaf and was involved in the Mpudulle Project and the school for the blind. Legodi also grew up with his diabetic grandmother who was dealing with the consequent health challenges that came with the condition – one of which was having eye issues. As a result, when she passed on she had lost half her sight. Motivated by this, Legodi and his wife secured a licence and purchased the land to build an eye hospital in Pretoria North Ward 55. Mpudulle (open your eyes) Eye Centre is a legacy and continuation of his grandfather’s work.

Delivering the Gift of Sight

As an eye specialist, Legodi qualified from University under the tutelage of Professor Ann Peters who taught him how to operate on the retina. He now specialises in retinal and anterior segment with the most common ailments being cataracts.

These are damaged lenses caused by ageing, trauma, or diabetes. As a condition, cataracts are treatable and can be removed and replaced with a new intraocular lens (IOL). Another common ailment is glaucoma, which is a high build up of pressure in the eye, and while this can’t be treated, it can be controlled. Another focus of the Mpudulle Eye Centre is laser treatment for clients if they are legible for an operation.

Furthering his cause of delivering the gift of sight as the President of the Ophthalmology Society of South Africa (OSSA), Legodi has been instrumental in engaging with government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to look at providing accessible eye care to the previously underprivileged. In the past, ophthalmologists in South Africa used to work with Orbis International, an international non-profit that brings people together to fight avoidable blindness. Utilising their medical airplanes that are fully equipped with theatres, they fly all over the world to relieve the burden of eye diseases. While unfortunately they have closed their offices in South Africa, they are still operational and the aim is still to move forward with relevant NGOs and give the initiative the attention it deserves.

Award-winning Ophthalmologist

It is uncommon for a black person to specialise in ophthalmology and Legodi was the sixth black doctor to qualify as an eye specialist in South Africa. Dr Kgosi Letlape was the first black eye specialist who qualified in 1988 so for there to only be six who qualified thereafter in an entire decade is telling that it wasn’t an easy feat.

Because of his experience and knowledge, Legodi has held numerous leadership positions.

He was fortunate enough to be the first black President of the Society of Eyes in 2013, where he was inaugurated by the former President and Deputy President of the country, the Honourable Kgalema Motlanthe. He was also elected to be an Executive Director and Vice President of the International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO) which is the mother body of all the ophthalmology societies in the world. In addition to this, he was an Executive Director of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) – which was an incredible accomplishment, with him being the first African to hold that post. During his time at the AAO, an initiative to distribute books to the continent was started – the Basic Science of Ophthalmology textbooks were made available across the continent to students who needed to study for their exams.

• In 2013, Dr Kgaogelo Edward Legodi was presented with the Nelson Mandela Award by former President Jacob Zuma for being one of the eye physicians

• who took care of Tata Madiba (former President Nelson Mandela)

• Dr Kgaogelo Edward Legodi was honoured by the Deputy Prime Minister of Swaziland in 2013 for his work and achievements

• He received recognition from the military health services led (by General Dabula) as one of their own in recognition of the work done

• Dr Kgaogelo Edward Legodi is also the first African to be the President of the World Ophthalmology Congress (WOC®) • which was held virtually in 2020

Partnering with the SANCB and Serving the Continent

In 2020, the South Africa National Convention Bureau (SANCB), together with Sisa Ntshona, collaborated on the World Ophthalmology Congress for their 2020 event and the partnership yielded great results. One of the proposed projects that was birthed from the Congress was working with NGOs that would train ophthalmologists in Africa. This came from a realisation that the state of health services and facilities in many African countries was not up to standard – so it is imperative to have opportunities that empower these young doctors who will ultimately service the continent in the most incredible way.

As a continent, the lack of skills, resources, teaching, and equipment means medical service providers are unable to meet the demand for assistance. There is a need to train more ophthalmologists as currently there are not enough to meet the need in South Africa. In addition, there is a need for governments to manage hospitals efficiently so that these institutions can assist the vulnerable and the poor who rely on these services.

I have huge admiration and respect for women: firstly my mother inspired me to do my best and be the best version of myself; my wife, Tshego is an amazing wife, mother, physician and businesswoman and last, but certainly not the least, I received my qualifications under the tutelage of women. As a result, they are my inspiration, and with my surgical and leadership skills, I can make an impact on the lives of patients, their families and my community at large.

Arrive Inspired. Leave Connected.