Identity area
Type of entity
Person
Authorized form of name
Molema, Silas Modiri
Parallel form(s) of name
Standardized form(s) of name according to other rules
Other form(s) of name
Identifiers for corporate bodies
Description area
Dates of existence
1892-1965
History
Seetsele Modiri Molema was Silas Molema's oldest son. He was born in 1892 in Mafeking and received his education at Healdtown and Lovedale. He matriculated in 1912 and taught at the Lyndhurst Road Public School until his departure for Great Britain in March 1914. He studied medicine at Glasgow University, graduating in 1919. While in Scotland he wrote and published The Bantu, past and present (Edinburgh: Green,1920). After graduating he continued his studies and worked for a time in Dublin and Glasgow, before returning to South Africa early in 1921.
On his return to Mafeking he opened up a surgery for the Indian and Coloured population. Subsequently he opened up a nursing home for all races but due to difficulties had to close down the home. He was an active member of the Rolong tribe, always supporting the Bechuanaland government, and served as a member of the Native Advisory Council. He also served as Treasurer-General of the African National Congress. S M Molema was also an active church member of the Wesleyan Methodist Church.
He married c1927 Anna Moshoela, the daughter of Rev M J Moshoela of Klerksdorp, one-time secretary and friend of Chief Montshiwa. His second wife Lucretia is still living in Mafeking. He died on August 13 1965.
His published works include Chief Moroka: his life, his times, his country and his people (Cape Town: Methodist Publishing House,1951) and Montshiwa 1815-1896: Barolong chief and patriot (Cape Town: Struik,1966).