Maratiwa House Nomination - 9/2/501/0017

Dr. Silas Modiri Molema (Silas Modiri) was born in Mafikeng, South Africa, in 1891. His father was a member of the Barolong chieftaincy's Royal line and served as secretary and primary advisor to Chief Montshioa of the Barolong boo Ratshidi in Mafikeng. Dr. Molema received his education at Lovedale Institution, where he also graduated. He had previously spent some time in Kimberly, where he was a teacher until 1914, when he traveled to Europe. He got admitted to Glasgow University's Medical School there.
Dr. Molema wrote an outstanding history book titled Bantu-Past and Present before returning to South Africa. Though the book was about Black South Africans in general, the history of the Batswana was the major emphasis. When he returned to South Africa, he began his profession in Mafikeng, and he quickly established himself as a medical practitioner of remarkable competence, with a big practice servicing both White and Black South Africans in Mafikeng and faraway places such as Johannesburg. Molema is the author of a number of health-related booklets. Dr. Molema was an excellent speaker and one of Africa's top intellectuals.