Dr Jonathan (better known as 'Shake') Seigel graduated from the Faculty of Health Sciences in 1975 alongside his now-wife, Dr Elizabeth 'Bitty' Muller. The two have been living in England for 40 years. After careers as village general practitioners (GPs) in England, they are now both retired from clinical practice, though Shake continues to work as a mentor and coach for medical colleagues. Shake and Bitty visited Cape Town in April 2025 for their class's 50-year reunion and Shake shares his reflections through a poem titled Sawubona ('I see you' in isiZulu.)

 

SAWUBONA 

I see you and you see me 

We were once all at UCT 

At a time when not all were free, 

Yet our teaching enshrined humanity. 

From heady carefree student days 

We all went our different ways. 

Some went near, others to distant shores 

Taking with us, some African lore. 

In essence it’s our interconnection 

Held within our chosen profession. 

So our duty now is to pass it on 

Because in UBUNTU we are all one. 

Starting young with unknown destinations 

From land that became a rainbow nation 

We have carved our personal light arcs 

Here in Africa as well as distant parts. 

Over time, of half a century 

On a global stage of growth and plenty, 

We have scattered like fertile seeds. 

Landed, rooted, nourished many communities. 

We hope to have left a solid foundation, 

In this complex world of inter-connection. 

One of respect, care, love, and nurture 

To guide our successors in the future. 

By enshrining our shared humanity 

With all peoples in all countries. 

Entangled like underground mycelium, 

And celebrating Ubuntu, we are one.

 

Dr Shake Seigel