It is with great sadness that the University announces the death of Dr. Vejay Ramlakan, former Deputy Chairperson and a Council member at SMU until 30 June 2019. Dr. Ramlakan, age 62, died in the afternoon of the 27th August 2020 at a Johannesburg hospital due to heart attack.

The university is saddened by the news of his sudden passing. Dr Ramlakan dedicated his life in struggle for liberation of South Africa, and served the liberation movement and the democratic government in various capacities. He was a strong champion and partner, and a personal friend of Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University. He was indeed a gifted leader and innovative thinker. Dr. Ramlakan shared generously with his fellow Council members the insights and wisdom he gained from his life-long record of achievement as a physician and a member of Umkhonto weSizwe during the liberation struggle.

Dr. Ramlakan served as a member of the SMU Council, the governing board of the University, since 2015, and also served as Acting Chairperson of Council for a short period in 2019. As a member of the Council, Dr. Ramlakan profoundly and passionately advocated the role of higher education as a means to promote human development, peace and sustainability — goals that align closely with the mandate of SMU. He will be deeply missed by his fellow Council members and the rest of the community members of SMU. As a former member of Council, Dr. Ramlakan continued to support the University to be the benchmark institution providing holistic health sciences education that meets the health needs of the individual, the family and community in general.

On behalf of the entire University community, the Council expresses its heartfelt condolences to Dr. Ramlakan’s family, friends and comrades.

Yours truly

Maria Mulalo Rambauli
Chairperson of Council

Download: DR-V-RAMLAKAN-STATEMENT-CHAIR-28Aug2020