The open-air shelter at Theresa Park Secondary School was buzzing with excitement as Grade 10 learners stepped into a world beyond textbooks. On this sunny day, the Clinical Pharmacy Department at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) transformed the space into a lively science hub, sparking curiosity about careers in Pharmacy and showing students that the field reaches far beyond pills and prescriptions.
Theresa Park Secondary is a young school—just two years old—but it is already making strides in Mathematics and Science. The visit from SMU gave learners more than information; it gave them a vision. Instead of passively listening, they engaged, asked questions, and began to picture themselves as future healthcare professionals.
Leading the session was Justice Luvhimbi, a PhD candidate in SMU’s School of Pharmacy. With energy and conviction, he told learners: “Pharmacy is about more than medicines—it’s about research, problem-solving, and improving lives. The choices you make today will shape the opportunities you can seize tomorrow. Stay curious, work hard, and believe in your potential.” His message was clear: success is built on focus and determination.
The interactive format kept the learners on their toes. Presenters introduced them to Pharmacy’s many branches—hospital and community practice, pharmaceutical research, regulatory affairs, and academia—painting a picture of a career rich with possibilities. The outdoor setting encouraged honest conversations as students asked about study requirements, real-world applications, and the difference pharmacists make in communities.
For the school, this was more than a career talk; it was a milestone. Deputy Principal Judith Nketlepe Maduwe praised the initiative: “Career guidance is essential for our learners. SMU’s visit informs and inspires. It shows our students what is possible when ambition meets education and motivates them to aim high in their studies and their future.”
The learners’ enthusiasm told its own story. Grade 10 student Shalomiele Middleton left with a new perspective: “I now see that Pharmacy is about helping people, doing research, and even teaching. This session has motivated me to work harder in Maths and Science so I can achieve my dreams.”
The outreach reflects SMU’s broader mission: to connect universities with communities and spark ambition in the next generation of scientists and healthcare professionals. By stepping into schools, SMU creates real-world opportunities for learners to see, ask, and dream. These interactions bridge the gap between classroom theory and professional practice, inspiring students to shape futures in health sciences.
For Theresa Park Secondary, hosting SMU’s Pharmacy team underscored its commitment to holistic education. Though still young, the school is laying solid foundations by exposing its learners to meaningful career pathways. For the learners, the day was a glimpse of possibility: a reminder that dedication to Maths and Science today can shape the healthcare solutions of tomorrow.
Through initiatives like this, SMU proves that education is not confined to lecture halls. By blending culture, curiosity, and community engagement, the university is nurturing future pharmacists and scientists who are not only knowledgeable but motivated to make a lasting impact on society.
By Dimakatso Modise
