by Lorato | Nov 11, 2026 | Accolades and Achievements, All News, Alumni, SMU Media, Student Media
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) has recognised the achievements of its 16 academic and support staff members after they completed the 2026 Supervisory Development Programme offered at Wits Business School (WBS), with certificates awarded on Friday, 6 November 2026.
The intensive six-month programme was designed to strengthen participants’ leadership, supervisory and management capabilities, equipping them with practical skills to improve performance and lead teams effectively.
A highlight of the ceremony was the Catalyst Crew research syndicate receiving the programme’s top syndicate award for its project, titled Developing a Community Health and Medicine Safety Awareness Campaign for the Ga-Rankuwa Community.
The team comprises Benedict Masenamela, Senior Officer: Alumni Relations; Nokukhanya Nyawo, Operations Manager, School of Pharmacy; Dr Phumzile Skosana, Senior Lecturer, School of Pharmacy; Dr Thokozile Okaecwe-Mosiane, Acting HOD, Department of Pharmacy Practice; and Tumelo Moila, Acting Manager: Communications and Public Relations.
Individual excellence was also recognised, with Masenamela named the overall best student. Boipelo Motswane, Head of Residence: Student Affairs, secured second place, while Moila and Dr Okaecwe-Mosiane were tied at third place overall.
Masenamela described the recognition as humbling and rewarding. “Being named the overall best student is a humbling and rewarding achievement. The programme has strengthened my understanding of leadership, teamwork and effective management. It has also reinforced the importance of applying the knowledge gained to make a meaningful contribution to the University,” he said.
He added that the Catalyst Crew’s research award reflected the team’s collective commitment, collaboration and dedication to addressing community health needs.
Delivering the University’s address, Dr Tshifhiwa Mulaudzi, Director: Finance Operations (Acting) and WBS alumnus, described the programme as an investment in the University’s most valuable asset – its people.
“People are the most valuable asset we have. A building does not mentor a new staff member. A system does not calm a tense meeting or notice when a colleague is struggling. People do. Supervisors do,” he said.
Mulaudzi encouraged graduates to view supervision as an act of stewardship, emphasising that effective leadership should prioritise employees’ development and wellbeing. He challenged them to consider whether their teams were better off because of their leadership.
Acting Executive Director: Student Affairs, Tulani Nkuntse, also emphasised the importance of developing capable supervisors to strengthen the University’s institutional performance.
“Leadership development is essential to building an effective and responsive University. As supervisors, these graduates can create supportive working environments, strengthen accountability, and ensure their teams contribute meaningfully to SMU’s mandate. The real value of this programme will be demonstrated through how they apply their knowledge and lead others,” said Nkuntse.
Nonhlanhla Sindane, Skills Facilitator at SMU, said the programme was an important investment in developing leadership capacity and critical skills pipelines across the institution. She encouraged participants to apply what they learned and transform their work environments.
The programme forms part of SMU’s broader leadership development initiatives, supported through its partnership with the Education, Training and Development Practices Sector Education and Training Authority (ETDP SETA). Previous initiatives include executive, transformational leadership and middle management development programmes.
Following the introduction of the Supervisory Development Programme in 2025, when 15 delegates participated, a further 16 employees completed the 2026 intake.
Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Dini Mawela congratulated the participants and highlighted the programme’s 100% pass rate. She also acknowledged two employees from the University’s Cleaning Department who completed the programme, demonstrating SMU’s commitment to staff development across different occupational levels.
Through these initiatives, SMU continues to invest in its people, strengthen leadership capacity and build teams that advance its teaching, research and community engagement mandate.
by Lorato | Nov 11, 2026 | Accolades and Achievements, All News, Alumni, SMU Media, Student Media
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) is recognising a significant academic achievement after its Transformation Manager, Dr Velencia Maupye, recently earned a Doctor of Social Work degree from the University of South Africa (Unisa). Her doctoral research focuses on developing strategies to prevent gender-based violence (GBV) in higher education institutions (HEIs), contributing to efforts to improve student safety, well-being and academic participation.
Dr Maupye’s thesis, entitled Experience of undergraduate female students regarding gender-based violence in higher education institutions: Developing preventative strategies, examines the lived experiences of undergraduate female students affected by GBV. The study explores how violence affects students’ emotional well-being, participation in academic activities and sense of safety within higher education environments.
Using a qualitative research approach, the study drew on semi-structured, face-to-face interviews with undergraduate female students and student counsellors. Guided by Afrocentric Theory, African Feminism and Empowerment Theory, the research sought to understand students’ experiences and identify prevention strategies suited to the South African higher education context.
The findings highlighted the multiple forms of GBV experienced by female students and their negative consequences for psychosocial well-being and academic functioning. The research recommends strengthened awareness and education programmes, improved reporting mechanisms, greater institutional accountability and capacity-building for frontline personnel. It also advocates integrating GBV education into the curriculum to strengthen prevention efforts. “Gender-based violence in higher education requires a comprehensive response that places students’ experiences, safety and well-being at the centre of institutional interventions,” Dr Maupye said.
A key contribution of the doctoral study is the development of a comprehensive GBV prevention strategy and a monitoring and evaluation framework specifically tailored to higher education institutions in South Africa. These tools are intended to support institutions in implementing prevention initiatives, assessing their effectiveness and strengthening accountability.
The research also contributes to social work scholarship and practice by providing evidence-based insights into the experiences of undergraduate female students. Its recommendations offer a foundation for developing responsive interventions that address institutional challenges while strengthening support for affected students.
Dr Maupye brings extensive professional experience in transformation management, gender mainstreaming, diversity and inclusion, employment equity and organisational change. Before her current role at SMU, she served as Head of Transformation at the University of Venda and previously held the position of Manager: Gender-Based Violence at SMU, where she led initiatives on campus GBV prevention, institutional policies, and stakeholder engagement.
Her academic qualifications include a Master of Arts in Social Work from the University of the Witwatersrand and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from the University of Limpopo. She also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Project Management from MANCOSA and has completed professional development programmes in management, strategy execution and change management. “Research must translate into practical measures that strengthen prevention, improve institutional responses and create safer learning environments for students,” she said.
Dr Maupye’s doctoral achievement aligns with SMU’s commitment to excellence, accountability, respect and the promotion of a safe, inclusive university community. As a dedicated health sciences institution, SMU continues to recognise the importance of research and professional development in addressing social challenges and advancing the well-being of the communities it serves.
Her study reinforces the need for higher education institutions to treat GBV prevention as an institutional responsibility, supported by effective policies, accessible reporting systems and sustained interventions that protect students’ dignity and right to education.
By Tumelo Moila
by Lorato | Nov 3, 2026 | Accolades and Achievements, All News, Alumni, SMU Media, Student Media
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) is celebrating a proud moment as its alumna and Speech Therapist, Audiologist and Clinical Supervisor, Amogelang Emerlda Bunu, advances to the Top 12 of the Miss South Africa 2026 competition. Representing more than her professional achievements, Bunu brings a powerful story of resilience, service and purpose, taking her journey from Mabopane in Gauteng to one of the country’s most prominent national platforms.
Bunu is a clinician in SMU’s Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, where she contributes to professional training and develops future healthcare practitioners through clinical supervision. Beyond her university responsibilities, she is a mother, runs her own practice and remains committed to community development. She also pursues her passion for karate, teaching and coaching learners at Ngaka Maseko High School. She credits the discipline, perseverance and resilience developed through martial arts with shaping how she approaches the different responsibilities in her life.
Her participation in Miss South Africa 2026 is also an opportunity to advance an advocacy campaign closely connected to her professional expertise. Through Empower Youth Africa, Bunu champions Play with Purpose: Communication, Access and Safety Through Playgrounds, an initiative that promotes safe recreational spaces, inclusive sports participation and early communication and hearing screenings for children.
“Through my private practice, we are providing free hearing and communication screenings at early learning centres in Mabopane. I have also built an online presence through TikTok @bunu.sta, where I educate parents on communication developmental milestones and how to use play at home to boost communication and learning outcomes,” said Bunu.
The campaign recognises that access to safe playgrounds and sporting activities extends beyond recreation. These spaces give children opportunities to develop social skills, build confidence, strengthen relationships, and discover their talents. It also advocates for early identification of hearing and communication difficulties through school-based screenings, enabling children who may experience developmental challenges to receive appropriate support.
Drawing on her experience as a speech therapist and audiologist, an athlete and a mother, Bunu believes that play is essential to children’s overall development. Her campaign encourages schools and communities to create environments where every child can participate, communicate, and feel included. As captured in her advocacy message, “Working bodies grow working brains.”
Her journey to the Top 12 reflects the professional commitment, personal discipline, and community engagement she brings to the national competition. From the Top 24 to the Top 12, her progress has generated excitement within the SMU community, which is rallying behind her as she prepares for the Miss South Africa 2026 finale.
Bunu’s achievement reflects SMU’s vision of transforming health services through excellence and innovation. As a dedicated health sciences university, SMU promotes professional education, teaching, learning and innovative research while encouraging its staff and students to contribute meaningfully to society. Through Bunu’s professional work and advocacy, the university’s commitment to health, inclusion, human dignity and community well-being is also reflected beyond the classroom and clinical environment.
As she continues her journey toward the crown, Bunu carries the pride of her university and community, showing how professional expertise can translate into advocacy that creates opportunities for others. From Mabopane to SMU and now the national stage, her story exemplifies purpose-driven leadership and SMU professionals’ contribution to building healthier, more inclusive communities.
The SMU community is encouraged to support Bunu by attending the Miss South Africa 2026 finale and showing its support as she competes for the national title.
By Tumelo Moila
by Lorato | Nov 3, 2026 | Accolades and Achievements, All News, Alumni, SMU Media, Student Media
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) is strengthening South Africa’s cardiovascular research landscape after the National Research Foundation (NRF) awarded a Y2 rating to Associate Professor Lebogang Palesa Mokotedi, an emerging researcher focused on cardiometabolic diseases.
The rating recognises Prof Mokotedi’s research productivity and potential to establish herself as a leading researcher. Her achievement, along with her appointment as an Associate Professor before age 35, highlights her growing contribution to physiological sciences and the development of research capacity in South Africa.
Based in SMU’s Department of Physiology, Prof Mokotedi also holds an honorary research appointment at the Integrated Molecular Physiology Research Initiative (IMPRI) Laboratory within the School of Biomedical Sciences at the University of the Witwatersrand (WITS). She obtained her PhD in Physiology from WITS and has since developed an independent research programme addressing cardiovascular dysfunction and its implications for human health.
Her research investigates the mechanisms and risk factors underlying cardiometabolic diseases, with a particular interest in how chronic inflammation and metabolic disturbances contribute to cardiovascular disorders such as heart failure and vascular stiffness. She also contributes to research examining maternal cardiovascular health, particularly complications associated with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.
“Understanding the mechanisms that contribute to cardiometabolic diseases is essential to improving disease prevention, early detection and treatment,” said Prof Mokotedi’s research profile, outlining the central focus of her work.
Through collaborations with clinicians, researchers and healthcare institutions, her work combines experimental and clinical approaches to advance the understanding of cardiovascular disease. These collaborative efforts have contributed to a growing body of research published in internationally recognised peer-reviewed journals.
Prof Mokotedi has also secured competitive research funding, including two consecutive cycles of NRF Thuthuka grants, supporting investigations into the roles of inflammation and dietary factors in cardiometabolic changes associated with chronic inflammatory diseases using animal models of rheumatoid arthritis.
Prof Mokotedi’s contribution to research extends beyond knowledge generation to the training and mentorship of future scientists. She has supervised or co-supervised ten master’s and doctoral students to completion and continues to support the development of emerging researchers. Her academic responsibilities further include undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, curriculum development, and promoting innovative teaching methods that encourage critical thinking and practical application of scientific knowledge.
Prof Mokotedi contributes to scientific leadership through her involvement in both national and international professional bodies. She serves as Deputy Treasurer of the African Association of Physiological Sciences (AAPS) and as an Executive Committee member of the South African Society for Cardiovascular Research (SASCAR). She previously served on the Council of the Physiological Society of Southern Africa (PSSA), supporting initiatives that advance scientific collaboration and research development across South Africa and the African continent.
The NRF Y2 rating marks an important milestone in her academic career and reinforces the value of sustained investment in emerging researchers. It also highlights the importance of collaborative, multidisciplinary research in addressing South Africa’s growing cardiovascular health challenges.
Through academics such as Prof Mokotedi, SMU continues to advance its mission of transforming health services through excellence and innovation. Her achievement demonstrates the university’s contribution to developing research expertise, strengthening postgraduate education and generating scientific knowledge that can inform better healthcare outcomes.
By Tumelo Moila
by Lorato | Nov 3, 2026 | Accolades and Achievements, All News, Alumni, SMU Media, Student Media
Dr Phumudzo Brigett Nemutaduni, a specialist nuclear medicine physician at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) and Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital (DGMAH), has received a Health Leadership Award at the Business Side of Medicine (BSOM) Gala Luncheon and Awards 2026.
The award recognises her professional contribution and highlights the importance of leadership, innovation and excellence in healthcare. It also reflects SMU’s commitment to transforming health services through excellence and innovation.
Reflecting on the significance of the recognition, Dr Nemutaduni said: “Receiving this award is a meaningful milestone in my professional journey. It reinforces the importance of remaining committed to excellence, embracing innovation and contributing to a healthcare system that responds effectively to the needs of our communities.”
The recognition comes amid growing calls for healthcare professionals to combine clinical expertise with leadership, strategic thinking and an understanding of the business environment in which healthcare operates.
The BSOM initiative seeks to equip medical practitioners with the knowledge and resources needed to manage their practices effectively. It provides educational resources, networking opportunities and platforms for discussions on ethical, legal and business considerations affecting medical professionals.
For Dr Nemutaduni, effective healthcare leadership extends beyond clinical responsibilities to include collaboration, continuous learning and the ability to adapt to an evolving healthcare environment. “Healthcare leadership requires us to look beyond our immediate professional responsibilities and consider how we can improve the systems in which we work. Collaboration, sound decision-making and a willingness to learn are essential to delivering sustainable and effective healthcare services,” she said.
BSOM was established in response to growing interest among doctors in learning how to establish, manage and expand their practices. Discussions at its meetings during 2022 and 2023 highlighted the demand for practical guidance on business strategy, collaboration across medical specialities and the challenges facing newly established practices.
The initiative addresses these needs through quarterly meetings, workshops and educational resources designed to support medical practitioners at different stages of their professional journeys. Its objectives include developing medical entrepreneurs, strengthening practitioners’ business knowledge and creating platforms for networking and professional development.
Dr Nemutaduni said recognition of healthcare professionals was also an opportunity to encourage others to pursue excellence in their respective fields. “Every opportunity to grow professionally should translate into a greater contribution to healthcare and society. I believe that innovation, knowledge-sharing and a commitment to serving others are important in building a stronger healthcare system,” she said.
For SMU, the achievement provides an opportunity to highlight the contributions of its medical professionals to the healthcare sector. As a dedicated health sciences university, the institution focuses on professional education, teaching, learning and innovative research, with the broader goal of improving the health and well-being of communities locally and nationally.
Dr Nemutaduni’s recognition underscores the value of healthcare professionals who combine specialised medical knowledge with leadership and innovation. It also reinforces the importance of supporting professionals who can contribute to more effective healthcare services and the continued development of the medical sector.
By Tumelo Moila
by Lorato | Oct 29, 2026 | Accolades and Achievements, All News, Alumni, SMU Media, Student Media
Master of Pharmacy student Mahlorhi Baloyi has earned national recognition for his contribution to pharmaceutical research and his potential to shape the future of healthcare, receiving the Merit Award in the Future Pharmacist: Young Pioneer category at the 4th National Pharmacy Conference in Durban.
The achievement marks a significant milestone for Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU), with Baloyi becoming the first SMU representative to receive a Young Pioneer Award of this kind. His recognition highlights the university’s commitment to developing emerging healthcare professionals who combine academic excellence, research, leadership and service to society.
Held recently at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre, the conference brought together healthcare professionals and stakeholders under the theme “A Glimpse into the Future: Advancing Pharmacy Towards 2050”. The event provided a platform to recognise emerging professionals whose work and potential can advance pharmacy and strengthen South Africa’s healthcare system.
Baloyi received the award following a nomination and merit-based assessment. Presented during the National Pharmacy Pioneer Awards celebrations, the certificate and trophy recognised his potential and commitment to pharmaceutical practice, research, ethical conduct, leadership and professional service.
Reflecting on the achievement, Baloyi said: “Receiving this award is a significant milestone in my academic and professional journey. It encourages me to continue pursuing excellence in pharmaceutical research and practice while contributing meaningfully to improving healthcare delivery in South Africa.”
The conference also emphasised the importance of maintaining high standards in pharmacy. Minister of Health Dr Pakishe Aaron Motsoaledi highlighted the need to protect the profession’s integrity and standards, reinforcing the importance of professional accountability and excellence in strengthening the health system.
Beyond receiving the award, Baloyi presented research examining the potential budgetary impact of implementing a prostate cancer treatment intervention in South Africa’s public healthcare sector. His presentation demonstrated his interest in generating evidence to inform healthcare planning, pharmaceutical budgeting, and decisions about the responsible allocation of limited resources.
“Research should not end with academic presentations or publications. It should inform decisions, support effective healthcare planning and ultimately contribute to better patient outcomes,” Baloyi said. “In a resource-constrained healthcare system, locally relevant evidence can help decision-makers assess interventions and use available resources more sustainably.”
Baloyi credited his parents for their sacrifices and unwavering support, while acknowledging the guidance of his mentors and research supervisors. He also thanked Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital for supporting his clinical experience and SMU for providing an academic environment where he could develop his knowledge, pursue research, and grow as an emerging healthcare leader.
Looking ahead, Baloyi aims to build a career at the intersection of healthcare research, health economics, leadership and public health. He hopes to bridge the gap between research and practice, ensuring that evidence informs decisions that strengthen healthcare delivery and improve access to quality services.
He also encouraged young people to pursue excellence, seek mentorship and remain committed to learning, regardless of their circumstances or career stage. “Young people should not allow their current circumstances or the early stages of their careers to limit what they believe they can achieve. We must remain willing to learn, embrace challenges and use our knowledge and skills to make a difference in the lives of others,” he said.
Baloyi’s achievement reflects SMU’s mission to advance health services through excellence and innovation. By supporting students who pursue research, professional leadership and service, the university continues to contribute to developing healthcare professionals equipped to address South Africa’s health challenges and help shape the future of the profession.
By Tumelo Moila
