by Lorato | Apr 15, 2026 | All News, Alumni, SMU Media, Student Media
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) is strengthening its commitment to postgraduate excellence through innovative academic engagement, as demonstrated by a recent high-level seminar hosted by the Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics. Centred on improving financial literacy and energising participation in the prestigious Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) Investment Challenge, the session brought together Honours, Master’s and PhD students for a dynamic exploration of real-world financial practice.
Held on campus, the seminar formed part of the department’s broader strategy to enhance research capacity while equipping students with practical skills relevant to the financial sector. With a strong emphasis on experiential learning, the session unpacked the mechanics, benefits and academic relevance of the JSE Investment Challenge, widely regarded as South Africa’s leading educational investment programme.
Delivering the keynote presentation, Zaba Mngani, presenter of the JSE Investment Challenge, offered a comprehensive overview of the initiative, highlighting its role in developing financially literate and analytically skilled graduates. “The JSE Investment Challenge is more than a competition; it is a platform for developing disciplined, strategic thinkers who understand the dynamics of financial markets,” he said. “Participants gain risk-free exposure to real market conditions, allowing them to make informed investment decisions without financial loss.”
The seminar was further enriched by valuable contributions from Sanlam financial advisers Lerato Teffo, Buhle Mabhena and Rhoda Matsimela, who delivered insightful presentations. Their sessions complemented the keynote by providing practical perspectives on financial planning, investment strategies and industry expectations, thereby deepening students’ understanding of real-world financial environments.
The seminar was facilitated under the leadership of Dr Claude Moutsinga, Senior Lecturer in Applied Mathematics and Postgraduate Research Coordinator, alongside lecturer Molwantwa Kanyane. The engagement followed a formal invitation extended to the JSE after earlier interactions at the Investment Challenge Awards held on 17 October 2025, reflecting a growing institutional partnership.
Dr Moutsinga underscored the initiative’s alignment with SMU’s academic vision of producing industry-ready graduates. “Our goal is to produce graduates who are not only theoretically sound but also practically equipped to contribute meaningfully to the economy,” he said. “The JSE Investment Challenge provides an excellent platform to bridge the gap between mathematical theory and financial application.”
Throughout the session, students were introduced to key elements of the competition, including portfolio management, trading strategies and performance evaluation. The interactive format fostered robust engagement, with participants actively debating market trends, investment risks and decision-making processes in contemporary financial environments.
Kanyane highlighted the academic value of the programme, noting its relevance to postgraduate research. “Financial mathematics is an evolving field, and platforms such as this enable our students to contextualise their research within real economic systems,” he explained. “It strengthens analytical thinking and supports academic development at the postgraduate level.”
Students responded positively to the initiative, expressing enthusiasm about applying their knowledge in practical contexts. One postgraduate attendee, Neo Monyebodi, a Master’s student in Applied Mathematics, remarked, “This session has transformed how I view financial markets. It is empowering to know that we can apply our mathematical knowledge in a way that has real-world impact.”
Beyond academic enrichment, the seminar also emphasised the career advantages associated with participation in the JSE Investment Challenge. Students were encouraged to build professional networks, enhance employability and explore career pathways in finance, investment analysis and data science.
Mngani reinforced this perspective, stating that employers increasingly value demonstrable experience. “Participation in the Investment Challenge signals initiative, problem-solving ability and a strong understanding of market behaviour,” she said.
The seminar concluded with a call to action for postgraduate students in Mathematics, Applied Mathematics and related disciplines to register for the competition. The department reaffirmed its commitment to supporting participants through mentorship and academic guidance.
As SMU continues to advance its role as a leader in health sciences and interdisciplinary research, initiatives such as this reflect its broader mission to produce graduates who are globally competitive, intellectually agile and equipped to drive innovation across sectors.
By Dimakatso Modise
by Lorato | Apr 15, 2026 | All News, Alumni, SMU Media, Student Media
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) continues to advance its mission of fostering student success through purposeful partnerships, most recently reaffirmed through a collaborative initiative with Absa Group Limited aimed at alleviating student hardship. The approval of student support for the first quarter of 2026 marks a significant milestone in the relationship between the two institutions, underscoring a shared commitment to academic excellence, social responsibility, and human-centred development.
Recently, the School of Science and Technology (SST) hosted an official handover ceremony, welcoming a delegation of approximately twenty representatives from ABSA. The delegation included representatives from various ABSA branch offices across Tshwane, demonstrating a unified institutional commitment that extends beyond a single office to a broader organisational endorsement of student development initiatives at SMU. The engagement was not merely ceremonial; it reflected a deepening partnership grounded in empathy, responsiveness, and a mutual understanding of the structural challenges faced by students in higher education.
Leading the ABSA delegation was Salome Morulane-Khorommbi, a Private Wealth Banker whose personal narrative added depth to the occasion. Reflecting on her own academic journey, she said, “I understand, from lived experience, the frustration of pursuing your studies while lacking even the most basic necessities. It is precisely this understanding that compels us, as ABSA, to intervene meaningfully where we can, because no student should have to choose between survival and success.” She further emphasised the intentional nature of the partnership, noting that it forms part of a broader commitment to youth empowerment and educational advancement. “Our relationship with SMU is not transactional; it is intentional and value-driven. We recognise the critical role the university plays in shaping future professionals, and we are proud to contribute to that journey tangibly,” she added.
The delegation was formally received by Dr Esmey Baratwa Esther Moema, Operations Manager in the SST, representing the Dean, Professor Lawrence Obi. In her address, Dr Moema expressed both gratitude and strategic appreciation for the partnership. “We are deeply honoured by this gesture from ABSA, which speaks not only to generosity but to a genuine investment in the well-being of our students. The presence of multiple ABSA branches here today further affirms the strength and sincerity of this partnership,” she said. She also highlighted the broader implications of such initiatives within the higher education sector. “Financial distress remains one of the most significant impediments to student progression. By addressing these challenges directly, initiatives such as this create an enabling environment in which our students can focus on their studies with dignity and confidence,” she noted.
Central to the handover was the donation of groceries valued at R20,000, designated to support students in need. While modest relative to broader systemic challenges, the intervention carries both symbolic and practical significance. It reinforces the principle that student success is not solely an academic pursuit, but a holistic one that requires attention to fundamental human needs.
The initiative further reflects SMU’s institutional ethos, which prioritises inclusivity, resilience, and community upliftment. Through strategic partnerships with stakeholders such as ABSA, the university continues to position itself as a responsive and socially conscious institution, committed to transforming lives through education.
As the engagement concluded, both parties expressed a shared intention to sustain and expand the partnership. In a higher education environment increasingly shaped by complexity and constraint, such collaborations offer a compelling model for impact-driven engagement—bridging corporate responsibility with meaningful educational transformation. In doing so, SMU continues to affirm its role as a catalyst for academic excellence and social progress in South Africa.
By Dimakatso Modise
by Lorato | Apr 1, 2026 | Accolades and Achievements, All News, Alumni, SMU Media, Student Media
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) has once again demonstrated its growing impact in science and innovation, as a team of three final-year Mathematical Science students secured top honours at the Huawei ICT Competition Regional Finals. The winning team—Oreneile Hlalethwa, Bontle Mdau, and Rudzani Junior Munyai—impressed judges with MediLink, an AI-powered healthcare data management system designed to transform patient care across South Africa.
Competing against some of the region’s brightest minds, the SMU trio emerged victorious in the innovation track, positioning themselves among the continent’s leading young technologists. The competition drew 12,233 students from 25 countries, with only 77 teams advancing from national rounds to the regional stage. Of these, just 13 teams competed in the innovation category, underscoring the significance of SMU’s achievement.
MediLink is a centralised electronic health record system that addresses one of South Africa’s most pressing healthcare challenges: fragmented and paper-based patient data. Built using Django, FastAPI, MySQL, and Huawei Cloud, the platform provides every patient with a single, secure, lifelong medical record accessible at any public hospital or clinic nationwide.
“We wanted to solve a real problem in our healthcare system,” said Hlalethwa. “MediLink ensures that critical patient information is available instantly, which can ultimately save lives.”
The system integrates advanced AI tools, including Huawei’s Pangu Model and ModelArts, enabling real-time clinical support. These features include emergency patient summaries, drug interaction detection, and population health insights—capabilities that could significantly enhance both frontline care and national health planning.
Mdau explained the broader vision behind the innovation: “Our goal was to create a unified, intelligent ecosystem that puts patients at the centre. MediLink moves healthcare away from inefficiency and towards a more human-centred, data-driven approach.”
The team’s success reflects not only their technical expertise but also SMU’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and socially responsive research. Munyai noted that their interdisciplinary background in mathematics, computer science, and statistics played a crucial role in developing the solution. “Each of us brought a different strength to the project, and that collaboration made MediLink what it is today,” he said.
Their victory marks a proud moment for South Africa and highlights the country’s potential to lead in digital health innovation. The team will now represent the region at the global finals in Shenzhen, China, in June 2026, where they will compete against top teams from around the world.
As SMU continues to position itself as a hub for cutting-edge research and transformative education, achievements such as this reinforce its vision of advancing health services through innovation. By nurturing talent that addresses real-world challenges, the university not only shapes future leaders but also contributes meaningfully to improving healthcare systems locally and globally.
By Tumelo Moila
by Lorato | Apr 1, 2026 | Accolades and Achievements, All News, Alumni, SMU Media, Student Media
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) continues to strengthen its national influence in innovation and economic development, as Naledi Mathole, Coordinator in the Economic Activation Office (EAO), has been nominated as National Chairperson of the EAO Community of Practice, representing all 26 universities’ EAOs in South Africa.
The nomination places SMU at the centre of a critical national platform focused on advancing innovation and entrepreneurship practices across higher education institutions. It also signals growing recognition of the university’s role in shaping solutions that extend beyond academia into real-world impact.
Mathole described the nomination as both an honour and a responsibility. “This role is about driving collaboration, strengthening innovation ecosystems, and ensuring that universities actively contribute to economic development,” she said. “We cannot afford to work in silos when the challenges we face require collective action and shared solutions.”
Her appointment reflects a clear and confident institutional direction at SMU—one that prioritises impact, relevance, and decisive action. The university’s vision to transform health services through excellence and innovation is increasingly matched by a communication strategy that is direct, purposeful, and results-driven. By refining how it presents its work, SMU is ensuring that its contributions are not only meaningful but also visible and influential.
Mathole’s professional background underscores her suitability for the role. With expertise in enterprise development, innovation translation, and stakeholder engagement. She has played a key role in building innovation pipelines that connect students to real-world applications. Her work focuses on creating environments where ideas move quickly from concept to implementation, addressing one of the most persistent gaps in higher education innovation systems.
Speaking on the urgency of this work, Mathole said, “South Africa does not lack ideas; the priority is to translate those ideas into impactful, scalable solutions. My focus is to help institutions collaborate better and deliver impact where it matters most.” Her approach reflects a shift from theoretical engagement to practical execution, aligning closely with national priorities around economic activation and job creation.
At SMU, the Economic Activation Office has become a catalyst for student and researcher entrepreneurship, driving initiatives that advance entrepreneurship development within the institution. This includes fostering strategic partnerships, enabling access to funding and support mechanisms, and strengthening a supportive environment for student entrepreneurs to grow and scale their ventures. Mathole’s leadership has been instrumental in positioning SMU as an emerging contributor to a dynamic and collaborative entrepreneurship ecosystem within higher education.
Her nomination also highlights the importance of effective advancement and communication in strengthening institutional visibility and engagement. SMU recognises that strong entrepreneurial outputs must be supported by clear, compelling messaging to mobilise stakeholders and unlock opportunities. “Impact alone is not enough,” Mathole noted. “We must communicate it with clarity and confidence so that it drives collaboration, attracts investment, and expands access to resources, training, and mentorship for student entrepreneurs.”
As National Chairperson, Mathole is expected to lead efforts that strengthen collaboration across universities, align entrepreneurship development practices, and promote the growth of inclusive and sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystems. Her leadership will focus on addressing systemic barriers to student entrepreneurship, enhancing stakeholder engagement, and contributing to policy and strategic initiatives that advance entrepreneurship within higher education institutions.
For SMU, this milestone reinforces its broader mission to contribute meaningfully to education, research, and healthcare transformation. By positioning its talent on national platforms, the university is not only strengthening its brand but also actively advancing innovation and entrepreneurship within South Africa.
By Tumelo Moila
by Lorato | Apr 1, 2026 | Accolades and Achievements, All News, Alumni, SMU Media, Student Media
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) is strengthening its position as a leader in health sciences education and innovation, as it sharpens its voice, clarifies its mission, and amplifies its impact through strategic communication and breakthrough research. This renewed direction is reflected in both the university’s institutional messaging and the achievements of its researchers, most notably Nondumiso Nkosi, whose recent recognition has drawn national attention.
Nkosi, a part-time junior lecturer in Medical Virology and PhD candidate at SMU, was awarded first prize at the GAP Medical Innovation Competition hosted by The Innovation Hub. Her innovation, HepaSure Diagnostics, is designed to improve the detection of hepatitis B, a disease that remains widely underdiagnosed despite affecting millions of people globally. Her work speaks directly to one of the most urgent challenges in public health—early, accessible diagnosis.
Reflecting on the milestone, Nkosi said, “Great discoveries begin with curiosity and courage, and this recognition strengthens my commitment to developing solutions that reach underserved communities.” She emphasised that the award represents more than personal achievement, adding, “This is not just about research—it is about translating science into tools that can save lives and improve healthcare systems.”
Her success aligns closely with SMU’s refined institutional vision, which is both confident and direct in its intent to transform health services through excellence and innovation. The university’s mission is clear: to provide high-quality professional training, advance impactful research, and respond to real-world healthcare needs with urgency and precision. This clarity in purpose reflects a broader shift within the institution towards stronger, more decisive communication that captures attention and demonstrates value without unnecessary complexity.
Naledi Mathole, Coordinator in the Economic Activation Office at SMU, highlighted the importance of this approach in positioning the university competitively. “We are intentional about how we communicate our impact,” she said. “Strong ideas must be expressed clearly and confidently if they are to influence change and attract support.” She added that innovation must not remain confined to laboratories but should be actively driven towards implementation and commercialisation.
The university’s evolving communication strategy focuses on presenting its strengths in a way that is both engaging and accessible, ensuring that its message resonates with students, partners, and broader society. This includes emphasising academic excellence, student-centred learning, ethical leadership, and community engagement, all underpinned by values such as integrity, accountability, and Ubuntu.
Nkosi’s work exemplifies these values in action. Her research journey, which has progressed from academic presentations to a patented innovation, demonstrates the power of persistence and purpose. “Seeing an idea grow from research into something with real-world application is incredibly motivating,” she said. “It reinforces the importance of staying focused on solutions that matter.”
SMU has also recognised the need for agility in a rapidly changing higher education environment. The institution is strengthening its advancement and communication systems to ensure responsiveness, transparency, and consistent engagement with stakeholders. As Mathole noted, “In today’s environment, institutions that fail to respond quickly risk losing relevance. We are building systems that allow us to act decisively and communicate effectively.”
As SMU continues to build its reputation both locally and globally, achievements such as Nkosi’s serve as powerful indicators of its impact. By combining academic rigour with innovation and strategic communication, the university not only educates future healthcare professionals but also actively contributes to solutions that improve lives. In doing so, SMU reaffirms its role as a transformative force in health sciences education and a catalyst for meaningful change in society.
By Tumelo Moila
by Lorato | Apr 1, 2026 | All News, Alumni, SMU Media, Student Media
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) reaffirmed its commitment to holistic development and community engagement as it hosted the vibrant 2026 SEPWLICO Tournament at its Ga-Rankuwa Sports Complex, bringing together institutions in a spirited celebration of sport, unity, and excellence.
A dynamic showcase of athleticism and collaboration unfolded as teams from SMU, the Department of Public Works, the University of Limpopo, and the Department of Correctional Services (SEPWLICO) converged under one platform. The event brought together staff teams from these institutions, creating a powerful space for fostering institutional partnerships, strengthening camaraderie, and promoting shared values through competitive sport.
The day began with an energising race that immediately set a tone of determination and enthusiasm. Participants demonstrated resilience and discipline, embodying the core values that underpin the SEPWLICO initiative. The momentum carried into the official opening programme, where stakeholders reflected on the broader purpose of the gathering.
Chairperson of SMUSSA, Caroline Moeletsi, welcomed guests and participants, underscoring the significance of sport as a unifying force. “This tournament is more than just competition; it is a celebration of unity, resilience, and the power of sport to bring people together. We are proud to host an event that fosters both excellence and community spirit,” she said.
SEPWLICO Chairperson Thomas Dibakwane echoed this sentiment, highlighting the initiative’s broader impact. “SEPWLICO continues to create a platform where institutions can collaborate, compete, and build lasting relationships. Through sport, we are promoting not only physical well-being but also social cohesion and shared purpose,” he noted.
The tournament featured an impressive range of sporting codes, including aerobics, soccer, netball, volleyball, pool, darts, chess, and tennis. Where participation numbers were limited, a round-robin format ensured fairness and maximised engagement, allowing teams multiple opportunities to compete and refine their performance.
Soccer emerged as a standout attraction, drawing enthusiastic crowds and delivering high-intensity matches marked by skill, strategy, and teamwork. The final match, in particular, showcased exceptional talent and competitive spirit. Netball and volleyball also delivered strong performances, while aerobics infused the programme with energy, precision, and coordination.
Indoor sporting codes added further depth to the tournament. Darts, pool, chess, and tennis highlighted individual excellence and strategic thinking, contributing to a well-rounded and inclusive sporting experience that catered to diverse interests and abilities.
SMU distinguished itself with an outstanding performance across multiple disciplines. The university secured gold medals and championship titles in soccer, netball, darts, and aerobics, reflecting sustained investment in sport as a vital component of both student and staff development. These achievements reinforce SMU’s broader vision of cultivating excellence beyond work stations.
In addition to its gold medal success, SMU achieved podium finishes in several other categories. The Supa Pool team earned a commendable second place, while the volleyball team also secured silver honours. In a moment that captured the inclusive spirit of the tournament, one SMU volleyball player was recognised as the oldest participant, celebrating participation across generations and reinforcing the event’s emphasis on unity.
SMU’s dominance extended to the opening race, where the university clinched gold, further cementing its strong overall performance. These accomplishments reflect the dedication, discipline, and talent of SMU athletes, as well as the institution’s commitment to nurturing well-rounded individuals.
The tournament concluded with an awards ceremony recognising excellence across all sporting categories. In her closing remarks, Moeletsi praised the participants and organisers for their dedication. “The level of participation and sportsmanship we have witnessed today is truly inspiring. It reflects the strength of our collective commitment to excellence and community development,” she said.
The 2026 SEPWLICO Tournament stands as a testament to the transformative power of sport in uniting communities, fostering talent, and promoting holistic development. Through hosting and excelling in such initiatives, SMU continues to strengthen its position as a leading institution—advancing not only health sciences education, but also social cohesion, community engagement, and the development of future leaders.
By Dimakatso Modise
