Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) recently transformed into a dynamic centre of professional exchange and growth as it hosted the Society of Radiographers of South Africa (SORSA) Gauteng CPD Symposium on 12 April 2025. Organised in partnership with the SORSA, the event brought together students, academics, and practising radiographers in a unique blend of mentorship, education and inspiration.
Accredited by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) for four General Continuing Education Units (CEUs), the symposium marked the first in-person CPD gathering in Pretoria since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Radiographers from Gauteng and the North West Provinces converged on SMU to reconnect, learn, and shape the future of the profession.
Khomotso Motiang, Lecturer in the Department of Radiography at SMU and an Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice (IPECP) Champion, co-hosted the event alongside third-year radiography student Enos Malatji. Both are proud SORSA members, and for Motiang, the event was deeply personal.
“When SORSA extended the invitation, I saw an opportunity to bring my long-standing vision of bridging the gap between students and professionals, theory and practice, and professional and personal growth,” she said. “Hosting the symposium at SMU was a way to plant a seed, show students they have a voice in the profession, and bring qualified radiographers back into the university space as mentors and partners in learning.”
That inclusive vision shaped every aspect of the event. “At its core, IPECP is about breaking down silos,” Motiang added. “We ensured multiple professions were represented in our presentations, reinforcing the importance of collaboration.”
Malatji, SMU’s first student SORSA member and founder of the SMU Radiography Student Association, said co-hosting the event was both daunting and empowering. “At first, it didn’t feel like something I could do,” he admitted. “But Mam Motiang encouraged me to lead and made me feel that my ideas mattered. That made all the difference.”
The symposium featured a rich variety of presentations—from breast and paediatric imaging to forensic radiography and radiation safety. Dr Fozy Peer, SORSA Public Liaison, remarked on the overall impact: “The presentations provided attendees with tools to enhance patient care, improve clinical decision-making, and inspire professional growth. It was about advancing the radiography profession through knowledge-sharing and collaboration.”
Kabelo Kgarosi, SMU’s Library and Information Services Manager, highlighted the importance of evidence-based practice. “Evidence synthesis is not the exclusive domain of academics,” he told attendees. “We must collaborate—librarians and radiographers—to produce quality, impactful research that influences real-world practice.”
This sentiment was echoed in Dr Peer’s interview following the event. “Research validates best practice, encourages critical thinking, and ultimately improves patient outcomes. It is vital that radiographers outside academia engage in it,” she said.
For final-year student Naledi Golulu, the symposium offered a platform to raise awareness about the realities of forensic imaging. “By sharing my experience, I hoped to highlight both the technical and emotional aspects of this field and the need for standardised protocols and support systems,” she explained.
Seasoned professionals also used the platform to reinforce essential principles. “My presentation focused on ethical responsibilities in radiation safety,” said Moyahabo Makgato. “It’s not just about compliance—it’s about safeguarding patients as a core element of ethical practice.”
According to Peer, interprofessional collaboration is central to improving radiographic practice. “Radiographers don’t work in silos. Collaborating with others, especially librarians and clinicians, ensures that radiographic practice remains informed, current and patient-centred,” she said.
Motiang’s most rewarding moment came when SMU students took the lead. “Seeing them confidently presenting, organising, and engaging—that was my full-circle moment,” she said. “It showed what happens when mentorship, leadership, and learning intersect meaningfully.”
Looking forward, she hopes the success of the event will catalyse greater SORSA involvement on campus. “We have a real opportunity to integrate SORSA into the academic journey—through student-led initiatives, mentorship and regular CPD activities.”
The SMU-hosted symposium was more than a professional development event; it was a declaration that the future of radiography lies in unity, innovation and shared purpose.
By Tumelo Moila
