Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) continues to affirm its role as a catalyst for change in South Africa’s health sciences landscape, driven by a bold vision to transform education, research, and community service. This commitment was powerfully reflected during the 2025 Autumn Graduation Ceremonies, held from 21 to 23 May, where the University conferred over 1,200 qualifications across its five academic schools.

 

The celebrations not only recognised academic achievement but also marked a historic milestone—the awarding of SMU’s first-ever honorary doctorate, underscoring the University’s steady rise as a hub of innovation, excellence, and national impact in higher education and healthcare development.

 

“This graduation series is not just a ceremonial rite—it is a powerful affirmation of the University’s mission to train a new generation of leaders, healers, and scientific pioneers,” said Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic and Research, Dr Jeffrey Mabelebele. “Our graduates step into the frontlines of health and scientific progress at a time when their skills are most needed.”

 

A total of 1,294 qualifications were conferred, with 69% being undergraduate degrees and 31% postgraduate qualifications. These included 33 postgraduate diplomas, 196 honours degrees, 162 master’s degrees, and 9 doctoral degrees.

 

The data further underscored SMU’s commitment to academic excellence and transformation. Women accounted for 65.2% of graduates, with 95 of the 102 cum laude and 27 summa cum laude distinctions awarded to female students.

 

Racially, 94.3% of the graduates were African, followed by 3.4% White, 1.5% Indian, and 0.8% Coloured graduates. Importantly, 124 of the graduates had entered the institution through the Extended Curriculum Programme (ECP), exemplifying SMU’s efforts in widening access to tertiary education.

 

In a historic highlight, SMU conferred its first honorary doctoral degree upon Professor Phuti Esrom Ngoepe, a globally respected physicist renowned for his groundbreaking work in Materials Modelling. The honour recognises his lifetime contributions to the advancement of science and innovation in South Africa and around the world.

 

In his acceptance speech, Prof 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.”

 

This is a milestone not only for SMU but for the entire scientific community. Prof Ngoepe’s work has bridged the gap between theoretical science and practical societal benefit. SMU is immensely proud to welcome him into its family.

 

Prof Ngoepe’s award also underscores SMU’s intention to broaden its academic footprint beyond health sciences and further establish itself as a multidisciplinary hub of excellence.

 

The graduation ceremonies reflected SMU’s interdisciplinary approach to addressing the country’s complex socio-health challenges:

• School of Medicine: 524 graduates, including 305 undergraduate degrees and 64 master’s degrees.
• School of Dentistry: 96 graduates, including 86 undergraduate degrees.
• School of Health Care Sciences: 240 graduates, including 168 undergraduates and 45 master’s.
• School of Pharmacy: 106 graduates, with qualifications ranging from higher certificates to doctoral degrees.
• School of Science and Technology: 230 graduates, including 204 BSc degrees and 3 doctoral degrees.

 

A posthumous degree was also conferred during the ceremony in honour of the late BSc Honours in Chemistry graduate, Noko James Pole, whose academic efforts were tragically cut short, serving as a poignant reminder of the resilience and humanity behind the academic journey.

 

In his concluding remarks, Dr Mabelebele invoked a Ghanaian proverb— “Knowledge is like a baobab tree; one person’s arms can never wrap around it”—to inspire continued learning among graduates.

 

SMU graduates understand that their qualifications come with a purpose and responsibility—to heal, to innovate, to serve. With a blend of tradition, academic rigour and a vision for inclusive transformation, the 2025 Autumn Graduation affirmed that both the present and future, indeed, belong to SMU.

By Tumelo Moila