by Lorato | Oct 15, 2026 | Accolades and Achievements, All News, Alumni, SMU Media, Student Media
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) is advancing scientific innovation through the work of Dr Walter Bonke Mahlangu, who recently graduated with a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Chemistry at the university’s Annual Spring Graduation Ceremony. His research explores using artificial intelligence (AI) to improve the synthesis and application of organometallic compounds, with potential benefits for chemical research, industrial processes, and materials development.
Titled Developing an artificial intelligence predictive model for synthesis and application of organometallic compounds, the study addresses a longstanding challenge in chemistry: the time, resources and chemical waste associated with traditional trial-and-error approaches to developing and optimising chemical reactions.
Organometallic compounds, which contain covalent bonds between metal and carbon atoms, play an important role in organic synthesis, materials science and industrial chemistry. Mahlangu investigated how machine learning and deep learning could improve their identification, classification and design by predicting chemical structures and reaction characteristics from molecular data.
“Artificial intelligence offers an opportunity to rethink how chemists approach complex synthesis problems. By using predictive models to analyse molecular structures and identify patterns, we can work towards more efficient research processes and reduce reliance on trial-and-error experimentation,” explains Dr Mahlangu.
The research was conducted in three phases, combining molecular fingerprints with machine learning algorithms, including Random Forest, K-Nearest Neighbours, Support Vector Classification and Multi-layer Perceptron neural networks. The first phase developed a model to identify metal–carbon bonds, achieving an F1-score of 0.85 and an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC-ROC) of 0.837, demonstrating its ability to distinguish relevant molecular structures.
In the second phase, Mahlangu applied clustering techniques to classify organometallic reactions into six to eight major categories. Different algorithms performed well in identifying broad reaction groups, while hierarchical clustering proved more effective at distinguishing subtle differences between related reactions. These findings could support more systematic organisation and analysis of complex chemical reactions.
The final phase focused on predicting reaction yields and catalyst structures. While the models performed strongly when predicting certain intrinsic molecular properties, forecasting reaction yields remained challenging because these depend on multiple experimental factors. However, a deep learning model achieved a peak accuracy of 85.7% in predicting catalyst and reagent structural features, demonstrating potential for automated screening and chemical design.
Mahlangu’s research reflects the value of combining established scientific disciplines with emerging technologies. “The findings highlight the importance of selecting appropriate molecular descriptors and machine learning architectures for specific chemical problems. Although challenges remain, particularly in predicting reaction yields, the results provide a foundation for further research into AI-assisted catalyst design,” he shares.
His doctoral achievement builds on previous research, including published work on analysing bisphenols in canned foods and machine learning-based classification of organometallic reactions. He also helps develop future scientists through his work as a principal lecturer at Eduvos and by supervising and co-supervising undergraduate and postgraduate research at SMU.
Dr Mahlangu’s graduation highlights the growing importance of interdisciplinary research in addressing complex scientific challenges. By integrating computational methods and chemistry, his work helps explore more efficient, data-driven approaches to chemical synthesis and catalyst discovery.
SMU continues to advance academic excellence through postgraduate education, innovative research and scientific capacity development. Mahlangu’s achievement reflects the university’s commitment to excellence and innovation, supporting researchers whose work expands scientific knowledge and explores solutions to emerging challenges.
By Tumelo Moila
by Lorato | Oct 8, 2026 | Accolades and Achievements, All News, Alumni, SMU Media
Dr Rose Maluleka has made history at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) by becoming the first female PhD graduate in the Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, marking a significant milestone for the university and an important achievement for women in the mathematical sciences.
Born and raised in Hammanskraal, Maluleka’s academic journey reflects perseverance, discipline and a sustained commitment to learning. She began her education at Motshegofadiwa Primary School, then attended Tsebe-Ntlha, and completed her basic education at Makgetse Secondary School. Her journey eventually brought her to SMU, where her academic excellence earned her recognition as Best Honours Student in 2016.
A decade later, Maluleka reached another historic milestone by completing her PhD, becoming the first female doctoral graduate in her department. Her achievement reflects years of study and research and sets an important precedent for women pursuing advanced qualifications in the mathematical sciences.
Her doctoral research, titled “Inertial approximation methods for solving some variational and fixed-point problems in linear spaces”, examines mathematical methods for addressing complex problems involving variational inequalities and fixed-point theory. The research demonstrates the advanced mathematical analysis required at the doctoral level and contributes to scholarship in mathematical sciences.
Dr Godwin Chidi Ugwunnadi, a Research Associate at SMU, and Professor Maggie Aphane, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, supported Maluleka’s research journey. Their academic relationship extended beyond supervision, and the researchers collaborated on scholarly work in variational inequalities, fixed-point theory, and mathematical analysis.
For Maluleka, however, the path to a doctorate was not without challenges. She reflects candidly on her learning process and the persistence required to complete her studies. “I consider myself one of the slowest learners I know,” she says.
Rather than allowing this perception to define her academic journey, Maluleka turned it into a testament to perseverance. Her experience shows that academic achievement depends not only on how quickly one learns, but also on the ability to stay disciplined, consistent, and committed to a goal.
Her supervisors’ support played a central role in helping her navigate the demands of doctoral research. Their academic guidance, combined with their own expertise and scholarship, contributed to her development as a researcher. Her family also remained an important source of encouragement and strength throughout the demanding periods of her studies.
For Maluleka, mathematics extends beyond equations and theoretical concepts. She sees the discipline as closely connected to everyday life. “Mathematics is not just numbers — it is also our everyday language,” she says.
This perspective informs her desire to make mathematics accessible, meaningful and relevant. It also adds significance to her achievement as the first female PhD graduate in her department, particularly in a discipline that requires advanced analytical thinking, abstract reasoning, and sustained intellectual engagement.
From Hammanskraal to making history at SMU, Maluleka’s journey reflects resilience and academic excellence. Her story demonstrates the transformative power of persistence and challenges the notion that progress must be measured by speed.
Her doctoral achievement leaves more than a qualification. It establishes a legacy of possibility for aspiring researchers, particularly women seeking to advance in the mathematical sciences. Through milestones such as Maluleka’s, SMU continues to demonstrate the value of excellence in teaching, learning and innovative research, while contributing to the development of future scholars and knowledge in the broader academic community.
By Dimakatso Modise
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
