Lebogang Smith (29) a final year medical student was due back in the country in July to complete his sixth year and start working in the province.
Smith was rushed to Santa Clara Hospital late last month after failing to wake up that morning and upon arrival, fell into a deep coma.
Doctors tried their best to resuscitate him but his condition-deteriorated daily until he died in the early hours of yesterday morning.
"A dark cloud of sadness and disbelief has engulfed us. My heart and prayers are with his family, friends and the people of the North West," said Health MEC Mandlenkosi Mayisela.
Mayisela said that when he met Smith last year, he was immediately struck by the student's humility and leadership qualities that were "beyond comparison".
"His death has left an indelible mark in my heart, and a set back towards our drive to recruit and retain doctors to our province, " said the visibly touched MEC.
Upon his arrival in Cuba in 1999, Smith was elected SA student leader responsible for political education.
He went on to become the deputy chairperson of the house committee and shortly before his death he was sitting in the university management structure as a fifth year students' representative.
The North West Health department started sending students to the tiny Island of Santa Clara for medical training in 1998 as part of the Cuba/South Africa training agreement.
To date over 400 students from this country are either training as medical or electro-medical students.
Four students from South Africa have lost their lives while studying in Cuba. Of those, two are from the North West.
The last victim was Daniel Nkuna from Hammanskraal who was killed in a widely reported motor vehicle accident in Santa Clara province last May.
The department has arranged with management of the university for intense psychological sessions for all South African students to enable them to cope with this tragedy and focus on their forth-coming examinations.
While the department is still awaiting a detailed medical report and postmortem results, Smith's body has already been taken to Cuba capital Havana.
The South African Embassy is also making all the arrangements for his body and belongings to be flown back to South Africa this weekend. - BuaNews
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