The Gauteng Department of Health recruits young people from disadvantaged communities in the province to study medicine in Cuba. It does this through the Nelson Mandela Fidel Castro (NMFC) Medical Training Programme, a national programme started in 1996 by Presidents Nelson Mandela and Fidel Castro. According to the national Department of Health, more than 3 200 doctors have qualified through it. They now work in clinics, hospitals and rural health districts across South Africa.
No new Gauteng call since May 2025
When we checked the Gauteng Department of Health’s NMFC application portal on 1 October 2026, it still showed the call for the 2025 intake, which closed on 31 May 2025. Gauteng Health had not advertised a later intake. Keep checking the portal, because the department posts its call there.
The programme is still running. In September 2026 Gauteng Health announced that 18 young recruits from the province were leaving to start medical studies in Cuba. In July 2026 the national Department of Health hosted a graduation for doctors who had finished their training in Cuban universities.
Matric subjects and residence rules from the last call
Gauteng Health’s 2025 call set these requirements. A new call may change them, so read the next advert carefully.
- A Grade 12 pass with university entrance, with at least level 4 (50%) in Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, Mathematics and English.
- South African citizenship and permanent residence in Gauteng.
- Matric written in Gauteng.
- Aged 18 to 30 on the closing date.
- Never registered at a public or private higher education institution, and never funded by any bursary.
That last rule matters: a student who has already started a degree, or has received any bursary, did not qualify in 2025.
Documents Gauteng Health asked for
- A CV
- A certified copy of your birth certificate
- Certified copies of the ID documents of the applicant and both parents or guardians
- A certified copy of your National Senior Certificate and results transcript
- Proof of income for both parents or guardians (a sworn affidavit if they have no income)
- Proof of residence, either confirmed by your ward councillor or as a municipal bill
How 18 places were filled from 2 480 applications
Gauteng Health’s account of its latest selection shows how competitive the programme is. The department received about 2 480 applications. Around 740 applicants met the requirements, and 91 were shortlisted on academic results, socio-economic circumstances and their potential to contribute to health care. The shortlist gave priority to learners from quintile 1 to 3 schools in Gauteng, from households earning R350 000 a year or less. Home visits, interviews and background checks then narrowed the group to 18.
Gauteng Health says these students will join the province’s medical workforce when they qualify, particularly in underserved areas. The department reports that 463 NMFC graduates already work in Gauteng public health facilities. Because places are so few, also apply to South African medical schools and look at other medical bursaries and government bursaries. In the Western Cape, the Western Cape Health and Wellness bursary includes medicine among the qualifications it funds.
The 2025 call listed Ms Rebecca Moema (082 848 1594), Ms Julia Zwane (083 496 9252) and Ms Mapula Motaung (082 737 7130) for enquiries. These numbers belong to that call, so confirm on the portal before relying on them.
I live in another province. Can I apply to Gauteng Health?
No. Gauteng’s call was only open to permanent Gauteng residents who matriculated in Gauteng. Ask your own provincial health department about its NMFC recruitment.