by Lorato | Oct 8, 2026 | Accolades and Achievements, All News, Alumni, SMU Media, Student Media
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) is celebrating the academic achievement of Dr Benjamin Tlhale Ntshabele, an Institutional Researcher in the Institutional Planning and Quality Assurance (IPQA) Department, who recently obtained a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Entrepreneurship from the University of Pretoria.
Dr Ntshabele’s doctoral research examined the factors that influence entrepreneurial inclination and venture growth across different professional contexts, with particular attention to differences between established entrepreneurs and healthcare professionals. The study addressed a need for greater insight into how individual personality and psychological traits influence entrepreneurial outcomes in traditional business and regulated healthcare environments.
The quantitative study included 635 participants: 325 established entrepreneurs and 310 healthcare professionals. Using exploratory factor analysis, multiple regression and Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA), the research investigated the predictive influence of personality and psychological traits on entrepreneurial inclination and venture growth.
The findings indicate that the importance of different traits varies according to professional context. Among established entrepreneurs, extraversion, conscientiousness, agreeableness and openness to experience significantly predicted entrepreneurial inclination, while neuroticism had a negative predictive relationship. Venture growth was most strongly associated with self-efficacy and extraversion, while openness to experience and risk-taking propensity also showed positive effects.
Among healthcare professionals, openness to experience emerged as the primary personality predictor of entrepreneurial inclination, alongside the psychological traits of self-efficacy, need for achievement and tolerance of ambiguity. Self-efficacy, openness to experience and tolerance of ambiguity significantly influenced venture growth. The study also found a significant negative relationship between innovativeness and venture growth among healthcare professionals, which may reflect regulatory and ethical constraints in the healthcare environment.
A key finding across both groups was the importance of self-efficacy. The research identified confidence in one’s capabilities as a consistent and strong predictor of both entrepreneurial inclination and venture growth. It further highlighted that risk-taking and innovativeness played a more prominent role among established entrepreneurs, while adaptability and tolerance for ambiguity were particularly relevant among healthcare professionals.
The findings have practical implications for entrepreneurship development, higher education and the healthcare sector. They suggest that entrepreneurship support should not follow a one-size-fits-all approach but should be tailored to the professional context in which individuals operate. For established entrepreneurs, interventions could strengthen attributes associated with opportunity recognition, calculated risk-taking, innovation and business growth. In healthcare, entrepreneurship development could place greater emphasis on self-efficacy, adaptability, and navigating uncertainty while recognising the sector’s regulatory and ethical requirements. These insights can inform the design of entrepreneurship education, professional development programmes and sector-specific support initiatives aimed at translating entrepreneurial potential into sustainable ventures.
Dr Ntshabele brings more than 15 years of experience in quantitative data analysis and over 12 years of experience in institutional research within higher education. His professional expertise includes institutional planning, strategic management, enrolment planning, performance monitoring, institutional effectiveness, monitoring and evaluation, statutory reporting and business intelligence.
At SMU, his work includes predictive modelling, institutional dashboards, environmental scanning, strategic reporting, institutional research projects and global university rankings. He also supports executive decision-making by translating complex institutional and higher education sector information into actionable intelligence.
His doctoral achievement builds on an academic journey that includes an MPhil in Entrepreneurship from the University of Pretoria, honours degrees in Economics and Statistics, and a BCom in Statistics.
Dr Ntshabele’s research deepens understanding of entrepreneurship in South African professional contexts and provides evidence to inform more context-sensitive approaches to entrepreneurship development. By identifying the different attributes associated with entrepreneurial inclination and venture growth across established entrepreneurs and healthcare professionals, the study contributes insights that can support entrepreneurship education, industry practice and the development of targeted interventions across professional sectors. His achievement also reflects SMU’s commitment to advancing research, innovation and evidence-based knowledge that contributes to the broader health sciences landscape.
By Tumelo Moila
by Lorato | Oct 8, 2026 | Accolades and Achievements, All News, Alumni, SMU Media, Student Media
The graduation of Dr Daniële Kristen, the third PhD graduate from the Anatomy and Histology Department at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU), marks an important milestone in postgraduate education, teaching excellence and interdisciplinary research within the University’s School of Medicine.
Dr Kristen graduated on Friday, 18 September 2026, following doctoral research that brought together her expertise as an educator, anatomist and forensic anthropologist. Her longstanding interest in joint anatomy, particularly through teaching undergraduate and postgraduate physiotherapy students, provided the foundation for her research into the morphology of the knee.
Reflecting on the significance of her achievement, Dr Kristen said: “This PhD represents the culmination of a journey that brought together my passion for anatomy, teaching and forensic anthropology. I am grateful for the opportunity to conduct research that has relevance to both science and healthcare in South Africa.”
Her doctoral thesis, titled “Dimensional Variations of the Tibiofemoral Components of the Knee Joint in South Africans Considering Possible Implications”, examined variation in the distal femur and proximal tibia among South Africans. The study used computed tomography, three-dimensional measurements and geometric morphometric approaches to generate population-specific anatomical data with potential forensic and clinical applications.
Supervised by Prof Anna Oettlé, with Dr Johan van der Merwe from Stellenbosch University as co-supervisor, the research demonstrates the value of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing locally relevant scientific questions.
Prof Oettlé said: “Dr Kristen’s work demonstrates how anatomical research can connect fundamental science with practical applications in forensic anthropology and clinical practice. Her achievement is an important contribution to the growing research profile of the Anatomy and Histology Department.”
The forensic dimension of the study builds on Dr Kristen’s MSc training in Forensic Anthropology. Her first article, “Sexual dimorphism of the distal femur in a South African computer tomography sample”, explored the potential use of the distal femur in sex estimation from unidentified human remains, including cases where skeletal remains are incomplete.
The research also has clinical relevance. Findings relating to variation in knee morphology and comparisons with selected knee implant examples highlight the importance of population-specific anatomical information when considering prosthetic compatibility and future implant design.
Dr Kristen has disseminated her research at national and international platforms, including SMU Research Days, conferences of the Anatomical Society of Southern Africa, the International Symposium on Morphological Sciences, and the Forensic Anthropology Society of Europe. Her work received second prize at the School of Medicine Research Day in 2025 and first prize for a poster presentation at the Anatomical Society of Southern Africa in 2026.
Her doctoral achievement forms part of broader postgraduate growth within the School of Medicine. Six PhD candidates graduated from the School in 2026, signalling increasing research capacity and a strengthening commitment to advanced postgraduate training.
The School of Medicine comprises 39 academic and clinical departments, supporting medical education, healthcare training and interdisciplinary research. Within this environment, the Anatomy and Histology Department contributes through foundational teaching and research spanning medical imaging, forensic sciences, dentistry, orthopaedics and biomedical sciences.
Dr Kristen’s achievement therefore extends beyond an individual academic milestone. It shows how teaching, research, and interdisciplinary collaboration can generate knowledge relevant to South Africa and the wider African continent.
The achievement aligns with SMU’s vision of “Transforming health services through excellence and innovation” and reinforces the University’s commitment to excellence in teaching, learning and innovative research.
As SMU continues to strengthen postgraduate development and research capacity, Dr Kristen’s doctoral journey shows how locally focused research can contribute to scientific knowledge, healthcare advancement, and the development of future academic expertise.
by Lorato | Sep 16, 2026 | Accolades and Achievements, All News, Alumni, SMU Media, Student Media
The School of Medicine at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) marked 30 years of continuing medical education through its 2026 Healthcare Workers Refresher Course, held from 11 to 13 September at The Maslow Time Square Hotel in Menlyn, Pretoria.
The three-day programme brought together healthcare professionals, specialists and academics under the theme, “From Traditional Health Care Worker to the Next Generational Health Care Worker”. It focused on strengthening clinical knowledge and preparing practitioners to respond to emerging medical, technological and ethical challenges.
Professor Mojakgomo Hendrick Motswaledi, Head of the Department of Dermatology at SMU, delivered the opening remarks and served as programme director during the opening sessions. The first day featured presentations on women’s health, obstetric care, primary healthcare, chronic conditions and acute medical management.
Professor Lineo Matsela, an obstetrician and gynaecologist recently inaugurated as President of the South African Menopause Society, presented “Building a Supportive Culture Around Menopause”. Her contribution emphasised the importance of improving practitioners’ understanding of menopause and strengthening patient-centred care.
Further sessions addressed basic obstetric ultrasound, antenatal care from a South African perspective, prevention and population health, and digital transformation in primary healthcare. Participants also explored practical approaches to chronic diarrhoea and chronic kidney disease, alongside updates on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, paediatric surgical emergencies, breast cancer screening and viral hepatitis.
Saturday’s programme placed particular emphasis on ethics and multidisciplinary practice. Discussions covered multidisciplinary team management, atopic eczema, asthma, pulmonary pathologies, anaphylactic shock, acute burns and diabetic foot sepsis. Delegates also examined the assessment and management of polytrauma patients and acute coronary syndromes in primary healthcare.
The ethical use of artificial intelligence by current and next-generation healthcare workers featured prominently, reflecting technology’s growing influence in clinical practice and the need for responsible professional judgement.
A major highlight was the 30th Anniversary Gala Dinner, which celebrated three decades of excellence in continuing medical education. The evening included reflections on the refresher course’s history, an address on promotion and funding, recognition of contributors and sponsors, and an anniversary toast.
Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Dini Mawela delivered the Welcome Address, while Professor Risenga Frank Chauke, Dean of the School of Medicine, led the recognition of contributors and sponsors. Past and present organisers, long-standing supporters and healthcare professionals were acknowledged for their role in sustaining the initiative.
The final day addressed bleeding patients, re-emerging viral diseases in South Africa, early diagnosis of multiple myeloma, erectile dysfunction and the assessment and management of critically ill patients. Ethical discussions focused on intimate partner violence, compassion fatigue and moral injury in professional decision-making.
The 2026 course reaffirmed that preparing the next generation of healthcare workers requires more than clinical expertise. It also demands ethical judgement, technological awareness, resilience, collaboration and a sustained commitment to patient-centred care. Through continuing medical education, SMU continues to strengthen professional practice and help develop South Africa’s healthcare workforce.
By Dimakatso Modise
by Lorato | Sep 16, 2026 | Accolades and Achievements, All News, Alumni, SMU Media, Student Media
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) is strengthening its research profile by recognising emerging academics whose work shows the potential to make a sustained contribution to knowledge and healthcare. Among them is Prof Tshiamo Ramalepa, an Associate Professor in the Department of Nursing Science, who has recently obtained a National Research Foundation (NRF) Y2 rating.
The Y2 rating recognises young researchers who have demonstrated the potential to establish themselves as researchers, based on the quality and productivity of their recent research outputs. The recognition places Prof Ramalepa among emerging researchers whose scholarly trajectory shows promise for continued research contribution.
Prof Ramalepa’s rating follows a growing body of research spanning adolescent sexual and reproductive health, role modelling, learner pregnancy, nursing education, youth-friendly healthcare services, HIV and AIDS, work-life balance among nurse educators, and healthcare-related psychosocial challenges. His research reflects a sustained focus on addressing challenges affecting healthcare systems, professionals, young people and communities.
His publication record has continued to expand across peer-reviewed research, scholarly books, and chapters. In 2025, he published a book titled ASPIRE strategies for strengthening adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health role modelling, while his recent research has examined adolescent primigravidae’s first antenatal care experiences, contraceptive awareness and decision-making, sexual and reproductive health role modelling, and work-life balance among nurse educators.
“Research must remain connected to the realities experienced by communities and healthcare professionals,” Prof Ramalepa said. “For me, academic work is about generating evidence that can contribute to better health outcomes while developing the next generation of researchers and healthcare professionals.”
His contribution to research development also extends to postgraduate supervision. At SMU, he has supervised students through doctoral and master’s qualifications, with completed research contributing to areas including nurse educators’ work-life balance, adolescent antenatal care, youth-friendly services and maternity care. He currently supervises four master’s and three doctoral students, supporting the development of the next generation of health sciences researchers.
Prof Ramalepa’s research trajectory is further reflected in his success in attracting competitive research funding. He is a co-investigator on the U’GOOD Climate Change and Mental Health project, supported by the NRF, Foundation Botnar and the Human Sciences Research Council. He has also served as principal investigator and co-researcher on reproductive health projects supported by the Centre for International Reproductive Health Training at the University of Michigan.
His growing research profile complements his academic leadership responsibilities. Appointed Associate Professor in June 2026 and a member of the Senate Committee, he also serves as the Postgraduate Diploma Programmes Coordinator, overseeing programmes in Health Service Management, Occupational Health Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, Midwifery and Nursing Education. He previously served as a lecturer and Senior Lecturer at SMU and a postdoctoral fellow at Tshwane University of Technology.
“SMU provides an environment where research, teaching and community engagement can intersect meaningfully,” he said. “My goal is to continue contributing to a culture of excellence while ensuring that research has relevance beyond the university.”
The NRF recognition adds to a series of achievements that have marked Prof Ramalepa’s academic journey. In 2026, Inside Education named him among the 100 South African Shining Stars. In 2025, he received an SMU Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Best Community Engagement Project in the School of Healthcare Sciences, while in 2024 he was recognised as an Inspirational Teacher in the School of Healthcare Sciences.
Through the achievements of emerging researchers such as Prof Ramalepa, SMU continues to advance its commitment to excellence in teaching, learning and innovative research. His NRF Y2 rating underscores the university’s role in nurturing research talent, generating knowledge that responds to healthcare challenges and developing scholars who can contribute meaningfully to South Africa’s health system.
By Tumelo Moila
by Lorato | Sep 16, 2026 | Accolades and Achievements, All News, Alumni, SMU Media, Student Media
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) is strengthening its contribution to pharmaceutical research and innovation through the work of Dr Pedzisai Makoni, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences in the School of Pharmacy, whose research, postgraduate supervision and external scientific engagements are advancing the development of innovative drug-delivery systems.
A pharmacist and PhD-qualified pharmaceutical scientist, Dr Makoni is an NRF Y2-rated researcher, a recognition that signals his potential to establish himself as a leading researcher through the quality and trajectory of his recent research outputs. With more than 15 years of combined industrial, teaching and research experience, his work reflects SMU’s commitment to developing research capacity that responds to complex healthcare challenges.
His research focuses on formulating and developing novel dosage forms for targeted delivery of active pharmaceutical ingredients, with particular expertise in lipidic nanocarriers, pharmaceutical analysis, and characterisation. This includes using solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) to improve the delivery of poorly soluble medicines.
“Pharmaceutical sciences provide an important bridge between scientific discovery and improved healthcare. My research is focused on developing drug-delivery systems that can address practical challenges in medicine formulation while contributing to improved therapeutic outcomes,” said Dr Makoni.
His research portfolio includes investigations into lipid-based delivery systems for medicines with significant therapeutic applications. During his postgraduate research at Rhodes University, he investigated efavirenz-loaded lipid nanocarriers, which could improve medicine delivery while addressing challenges associated with antiretroviral therapy. His doctoral research examined clarithromycin-loaded lipid nanocarriers for potential use in treating non-tuberculous bacterial keratitis.
Since joining SMU in March 2024, Dr Makoni has also helped expand the University’s research infrastructure and collaborative research capacity. His research activities have attracted funding from several competitive programmes, including the National Research Foundation (NRF) Thuthuka Post-PhD Track and the SA/France PROTEA programme.
A significant achievement is his involvement as a co-user on an NRF National Equipment Programme grant valued at R10 million. The investment represents an important contribution to research infrastructure and could strengthen researchers’ capacity to undertake advanced scientific investigation and generate high-quality research outputs.
“Access to appropriate research infrastructure is critical to producing rigorous, competitive research. The R10 million equipment investment creates opportunities to strengthen analytical and research capabilities while supporting collaboration and the development of postgraduate researchers,” he said.
Beyond his research outputs, Dr Makoni is actively involved in postgraduate supervision, teaching and academic examination. He has supervised MSc, MPharm and PhD students, while also examining postgraduate theses across several South African and international-linked institutions. His academic responsibilities include teaching Pharmacology, Pharmaceutics and Pathophysiology to BPharm students.
His expertise also extends beyond the university. Since 2020, he has served as an external expert evaluator for the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) Pharmaceutical and Analytical Committee, contributing specialist knowledge to the evaluation of pharmaceutical products and regulatory matters. He has further participated in research collaborations and product reformulation projects with industry.
Dr Makoni’s growing research profile, competitive funding, postgraduate supervision and professional engagement collectively contribute to SMU’s vision of transforming health services through excellence and innovation. His work shows how research at the University can strengthen scientific capacity, develop future researchers, and contribute to solutions relevant to pharmaceutical development and healthcare delivery.
Through academics such as Dr Makoni, SMU continues to build a research-intensive health sciences environment where innovation, advanced training, and scientific collaboration contribute to the University’s broader impact on healthcare in South Africa and beyond.
By Tumelo Moila
by Lorato | Sep 10, 2026 | Accolades and Achievements, All News, Alumni, SMU Media, Student Media
A Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) medical student has placed the university and South Africa on the global surgical map after being selected among only 24 students worldwide for the prestigious Future Surgeons Programme (FSP) at International Surgical Week (ISW) 2026 in Mexico City.
Tebogo Sekgarametso represented South Africa as the National Delegate of the International Association of Student Surgical Societies (IASSS) at the 51st World Congress of Surgery, held recently at the Hotel Camino Real Polanco. Convened by the International Society of Surgery, the congress brought together leading surgeons, researchers, policymakers and emerging professionals to address surgical disparities in low- and middle-income countries and develop the next generation of global health leaders.
Sekgarametso’s selection for the FSP placed him among an elite international cohort of emerging surgical leaders. The programme provided opportunities for mentorship, professional development and direct engagement with senior figures shaping the future of global surgery.
“It was a momentous occasion to stand alongside international peers and represent South Africa on a global platform,” said Sekgarametso. “We received certificates of achievement as members of the IASSS Future Surgeons Programme.”
His contribution extended beyond participation. Sekgarametso chaired the IASSS “Spartan Surgeon” session, facilitating discussions on resourcefulness and resilience in surgical training in resource-constrained environments. The theme has particular relevance to South Africa, where healthcare professionals continue to navigate complex demands while working to expand access to quality surgical care.
The congress also exposed him to emerging technologies and competencies that will shape the future of the profession. The session “The Digital Era of Surgery” examined the growing role of artificial intelligence and automated imaging in surgical planning, while “Looking to the Future: What Every Junior Should Know” focused on the non-technical competencies required by tomorrow’s surgeons.
Academic development was another key component. At the World Journal of Surgery’s Early Career Writers’ Workshop, Sekgarametso gained practical insight into manuscript preparation and peer review, including direct mentorship from Rowan Parks, Past President of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.
“Having him personally guide our table through the nuances of manuscript preparation and peer review was an invaluable highlight for my academic development,” he said.
The trauma programme aligned closely with SMU’s clinical and academic strengths, covering trauma teamwork, resuscitation and the development of resilient trauma systems. A landmark session on the 20-year collaboration between the International Association for Trauma Surgery and Intensive Care (IATSIC) and the World Health Organization examined developments in trauma training, systems strengthening and the evolution of the Surgical Safety Checklist.
Sekgarametso also engaged leading international surgical figures, including Thavam Thambi-Pillai, World President of the International College of Surgeons; Joji Kotani, President of the International Association for Surgical Metabolism and Nutrition; and Neil Wetzig, President of the G4 Alliance. Discussions covered professional development, perioperative nutrition and strengthening Surgical, Obstetric, Trauma and Anaesthesia capacity.
Wetzig’s insights, Sekgarametso said, “directly mirror the challenges we face and study within the South African healthcare framework”.
His participation further included engagements with Ari Leppäniemi and Kenneth Boffard, President and Secretary-General of the International Society of Surgery respectively.
Sekgarametso’s achievement reflects SMU’s commitment to excellence in health sciences education, research and professional development. It also strengthens the university’s contribution to international surgical discourse while enabling students to bring global knowledge and expertise back into South African healthcare.
Through opportunities such as the Future Surgeons Programme, SMU continues to equip emerging health professionals to contribute to the transformation of healthcare and advance surgical excellence in South Africa and beyond.
By Dimakatso Modise
