In conversation with ...
William Anderson Soga
1858 - 1916
What would South Africa ’ s first black medical doctor have said about his life and career if he were to be interviewed today ? Based on the little information available from this pioneer featured as part of PPS ’ s “ Finding the Forgotten Graduate ” campaign , we compiled this profile Q & A *.
Tell us more about who you are , your family and your childhood years .
I was born in Britain in 1858 . My parents were Tiyo and Janet Soga . My father was Xhosa , while my mother was Scottish . I am one of eight children – four brothers and three sisters ( my eighth sibling was stillborn ). My father died when I was only 13 and my mother then decided to return to Scotland . In Scotland , I attended the Dollar Academy ( high school ) after which I started my university studies at the University of Glasgow . I completed my first degree in 1883 and achieved my MD the following year . While in Scotland , I met my wife , Mary .
A major influence on you is your Scottish heritage . How did a South African Xhosa family end up with such a strong link to Scotland ?
The story actually starts with my Xhosa grandmother , Nosuthu . After she accepted the Christian faith , she wanted to raise my father , Tiyo , as a Christian and receive formal education . She took him to the Thyume Mission , where he attended the school of the Reverend John Chalmers . He later moved to a school in Lovedale
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