In a landmark moment for Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU), the institution conferred its first-ever honorary doctoral degree during the Autumn Graduation Ceremony held on 23 May 2025. The prestigious honour was bestowed upon Professor Phuti Esrom Ngoepe, a globally recognised scholar in the field of Physics, in recognition of his exceptional academic contributions to Materials Modelling and his enduring impact on the advancement of science in South Africa and beyond.
The degree was awarded by the School of Science and Technology, underscoring SMU’s deepening commitment to academic excellence and its recognition of transformative figures whose work aligns with the university’s mission to advance knowledge that serves society.
Ngoepe’s illustrious career spans more than five decades, marked by prolific research, pioneering contributions in computational modelling, and a steadfast dedication to education and mentorship. Over the years, he has supervised 61 Master’s students, 34 PhD candidates, and mentored 16 postdoctoral researchers. His scholarly influence extends to over 1,000 conference presentations, both locally and internationally, and a formidable body of peer-reviewed publications that continue to shape the global discourse in Physics and Materials Science.
Beyond academia, Ngoepe has been instrumental in shaping South Africa’s science policy landscape, having served on a number of high-level national councils and advisory panels. These include the Council for Geosciences, MINTEK, the South African Nanotechnology Initiative, and the Platinum Value Addition Initiative Steering Committee, among others.
His immense contributions have earned him numerous accolades, including the Order of Mapungubwe (Silver) from the Presidency of South Africa in 2008 for his achievements in the natural sciences. In 2022, he was honoured with the Chinese Government Friendship Award, further cementing his global standing. In 2023, a Materials Science Workshop was held in his honour — a fitting tribute to his lifetime of service to science.
In his acceptance speech, Ngoepe reflected on the honour with deep humility and gratitude.
“I would like to express my sincerest thanks and appreciation to Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University for conferring this honour upon me today. I humbly accept this award on behalf of everyone who has worked tirelessly alongside me over the years.”
He also used the occasion to share a message of encouragement with the graduating class: “My message to you graduates is that only the best of yourself is good enough.”
Acknowledging the many students and colleagues who have journeyed with him, he added: “I value and appreciate the efforts and dedication of all students and co-workers over many decades. Their potential, ingenuity and talent for doing things that are the best in the world — I have learnt so much from them. They have kept me young at heart and in my mind.”
Addressing broader societal challenges, Ngoepe spoke of the need for Africa to foster independence in thought and action: “In the last two years, two weeks, two days, amazing trends in geopolitics have been unfolding. We are slowly learning that in order to survive as a country and a continent, we need to steer away from dependency. This cuts across all disciplines — whether in social matters or health matters, such as the treatment of contagious diseases — areas in which this university plays a vital role in service delivery.”
The historic conferment marks a new chapter in SMU’s journey as a leading institution in health sciences education, research, and innovation. By honouring one of South Africa’s most accomplished scientists, the university has not only recognised individual excellence but also reaffirmed its commitment to nurturing knowledge that uplifts communities, transforms lives, and inspires the next generation of changemakers.
By Tumelo Moila
