by Lorato | Aug 12, 2026 | Accolades and Achievements, All News, Alumni, SMU Media, Student Media
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) is celebrating a significant academic achievement after Computer Science Academic Coordinator Dr Mosima Masethe completed her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Information Technology, producing research that advances artificial intelligence (AI) for African languages and strengthens digital inclusion across South Africa. This study contributes to South Africa’s multilingualism initiative by supporting efforts to ensure that indigenous languages are represented in education and used as mediums of instruction and communication.
Awarded by the Durban University of Technology, Dr Masethe’s doctoral research addresses one of the major challenges in natural language processing (NLP): enabling computers to correctly interpret the meaning of ambiguous words in Sesotho sa Leboa (Northern Sotho). The study demonstrates that combining modern AI techniques with language-specific knowledge significantly improves the performance of language technologies, even in low-resource languages with limited digital datasets.
The findings have important implications for the development of machine translation, virtual assistants, educational software, search technologies and digital public services. By improving AI’s understanding of indigenous languages, the research supports greater access to government information, healthcare, education, banking and other essential services in people’s home languages.
Reflecting on the milestone, Dr Masethe described the achievement as both personal and purposeful. “This achievement is not only a personal victory but also a reminder of what is possible through faith, perseverance, mentorship, sacrifice and consistent hard work,” she said.
She added that completing her PhD marks the beginning of a broader mission to expand research and innovation, rather than the end of her academic journey.
Dr Masethe believes the university is well-positioned to strengthen postgraduate education in emerging technologies, particularly where AI can address practical challenges in healthcare and society. “Working at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, I am inspired to contribute to the development of new postgraduate programmes and research pathways in natural language processing, computational linguistics, large language models, generative AI, artificial intelligence and related emerging technologies,” she said.
Her research also aligns with national priorities by promoting digital transformation, strengthening indigenous knowledge systems and expanding opportunities for historically underrepresented communities. The study demonstrates that effective AI solutions for African languages can be developed without requiring massive datasets, providing a practical framework for future innovation in language technologies.
Beyond the technical contribution, the research has already produced several peer-reviewed journal publications and international conference papers, laying a strong foundation for continued advances in explainable AI, computational linguistics and inclusive digital innovation for African languages.
Dr Masethe expressed gratitude to her family, supervisors, colleagues, mentors, students and friends for their encouragement throughout her academic journey, emphasising that collaboration remains central to future success.
The achievement reflects SMU’s commitment to research excellence, innovation and capacity development in the health sciences and beyond. By supporting pioneering research that applies advanced AI to real-world challenges, the university continues to strengthen its contribution to knowledge generation, digital transformation and equitable access to education, healthcare and information for communities across South Africa.
By Tumelo Moila
by Lorato | Aug 12, 2026 | Accolades and Achievements, All News, Alumni, SMU Media, Student Media
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) is strengthening reproductive health education through its partnership with the Centre for International Reproductive Health Training at the University of Michigan (CIRHT-UM), equipping future healthcare professionals with the knowledge and clinical skills needed to deliver quality, patient-centred care.
The partnership was highlighted during the two-day SMU–CIRHT Workshop held recently at the university’s Skills Centre. The workshop brought together academic leaders, clinicians, researchers and healthcare educators to review progress, strengthen institutional collaboration and explore innovative approaches to teaching and learning in sexual and reproductive healthcare.
The collaboration focuses on strengthening health professions education through competency-based training, curriculum development, faculty capacity building, simulation-based learning and research. It aims to ensure that graduates are prepared to provide comprehensive reproductive healthcare, including family planning services, quality counselling and evidence-based clinical care.
Opening the workshop, Dr Mabina Mogale, Project Coordinator of the SMU–CIRHT Project, said the partnership represents a long-term investment in healthcare education and service delivery. “The SMU–CIRHT partnership reflects our shared commitment to developing healthcare professionals who are clinically competent, compassionate and responsive to the needs of the communities they serve. Every improvement we make in education ultimately translates into better patient care and stronger health systems,” said Dr Mogale.
He added that the partnership has enabled academic staff to strengthen teaching methodologies, exchange best practices and introduce innovative learning approaches that better prepare students for clinical practice. “The healthcare landscape continues to evolve, and our responsibility is to ensure that our graduates possess both the scientific knowledge and practical experience needed to provide safe, ethical and evidence-based reproductive healthcare,” he said.
Country Principal Investigator and UNIVEN’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Teaching and Learning, Professor Sebi Lekalakala-Mokgele, highlighted the importance of institutional partnerships in strengthening health professions education across Africa. “Universities have a responsibility to produce graduates who are capable of responding to real-world healthcare challenges. Through the CIRHT partnership, we are strengthening our academic programmes, empowering educators and ensuring that students receive practical training that prepares them to deliver quality healthcare with confidence,” she said.
Prof Lekalakala-Mokgele added that collaboration promotes continuous learning and innovation. “Sharing knowledge, research and expertise allows us to build stronger institutions while improving healthcare outcomes for future generations.”
Country Co-Principal Investigator, SMU’s Vice-Dean: Research in the School of Health Care Sciences and Head of the Department of Public Health, Prof Mathilda Mokgatle, emphasised the need for academic programmes to evolve alongside changes in medicine, technology and patient care. “Healthcare education cannot remain static. Our curricula must evolve alongside advances in medicine, technology and patient care,” she said. “This partnership allows us to strengthen teaching and learning while ensuring that graduates are equipped to provide comprehensive reproductive healthcare that is evidence-based, respectful and patient-centred.”
She also stressed the importance of investing in educators, noting, “When we empower educators with modern teaching approaches and practical training tools, we strengthen the entire healthcare education system.”
Chairperson of the SMU–CIRHT Teaching and Learning Committee, Dr Sylvia Cebekhulu, said practical learning was critical to developing competent healthcare professionals. “Students learn best when theory and practice are integrated. Through simulation-based education, clinical skills laboratories and supervised clinical placements, they gain the confidence and competence required to deliver safe, ethical and compassionate care,” she said.
The workshop examined the three pillars underpinning the partnership: education, service and research. Discussions covered competency-based reproductive health curricula, simulation training, clinical supervision, patient-centred care, counselling, ethical decision-making and collaborative research.
The initiative reinforces SMU’s broader commitment to excellence and socially accountable healthcare education, while strengthening its capacity to produce professionals equipped to address reproductive health challenges and improve healthcare outcomes in South African communities.
By Dimakatso Modise
by Lorato | Aug 12, 2026 | Accolades and Achievements, All News, Alumni, SMU Media, Student Media
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) is celebrating the promotion of Professor Bettina Chale-Matsau from Senior Lecturer to Associate Professor (Clinical/Diagnostic) in Chemical Pathology, recognising a distinguished career spanning more than three decades of scientific research, clinical practice, academic leadership, and service to healthcare. Her appointment reflects SMU’s commitment to advancing excellence in teaching, research and innovation while strengthening healthcare systems across South Africa and the African continent.
Professor Chale-Matsau’s professional journey began in environmental and water quality research before she pursued medicine to make a more direct contribution to improving people’s lives. Rather than leaving science behind, she integrated her research expertise with clinical medicine, ultimately specialising in Chemical Pathology. Today, she serves as Head of the Department of Chemical Pathology at SMU and the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS), where she provides strategic leadership in academic programmes, research, postgraduate training, laboratory quality management and specialist diagnostic services.
Throughout her academic career, Professor Chale-Matsau has remained dedicated to developing future healthcare professionals. In 2024, MBChB VI students recognised her as the Best Lecturer in Chemical Pathology, reflecting her commitment to teaching excellence. She has supervised and co-supervised numerous Master’s and doctoral graduates while continuing to mentor MMed, MSc and PhD candidates, reinforcing her belief that nurturing future researchers is one of the most meaningful contributions an academic can make.
Her research has made significant contributions to endocrinology, laboratory management, inherited metabolic disorders, and laboratory quality improvement. More recently, her work has focused on pathology-based point-of-care diagnostics, an emerging field that aims to make reliable, affordable diagnostic testing more accessible, particularly in rural and resource-limited communities. Through multidisciplinary collaboration, she is working to accelerate innovations that strengthen clinical decision-making and improve patient outcomes across Africa.
Reflecting on her promotion, Professor Chale-Matsau said, “This promotion represents an opportunity to contribute even more meaningfully to research, postgraduate education and healthcare. I hope to inspire young scientists and clinicians to pursue research that addresses the health challenges facing our communities while ensuring that laboratory medicine remains at the centre of evidence-based patient care.”
Looking ahead, Professor Chale-Matsau aims to establish a nationally recognised programme in pathology diagnostics that advances biomarker discovery, point-of-care technologies, laboratory quality systems and translational research. She envisions strengthening collaborations across disciplines and institutions to position SMU as a leader in developing innovative diagnostic technologies that improve equitable access to healthcare throughout South Africa and beyond.
Her growing national and international profile is reflected in leadership roles within professional bodies, editorial responsibilities for the African Journal of Laboratory Medicine, invited presentations at international conferences and a sustained record of scientific publication and postgraduate supervision. These achievements underscore her commitment to advancing laboratory medicine while fostering excellence among emerging researchers and clinicians.
Professor Chale-Matsau said her promotion carries responsibilities beyond personal achievement. “I see this as an opportunity to strengthen research, mentor future leaders and contribute to healthcare solutions that improve lives. Innovation in pathology diagnostics has the potential to transform healthcare delivery, particularly for underserved communities.” This vision aligns with SMU’s mission of transforming health services through excellence in education, research and innovation, reinforcing the University’s role in producing knowledge that addresses national and continental health priorities.
By Tumelo Moila
by Lorato | Aug 6, 2026 | Accolades and Achievements, All News, Alumni, SMU Media, Student Media
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) has honoured three final-year Bachelor of Science in Mathematical Sciences students whose exceptional performance at the Huawei ICT Competition Global Final in China earned South Africa international recognition. During a special celebration hosted by the School of Science and Technology, the university recognised the students’ third-place finish as a testament to SMU’s commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and the production of graduates who can compete successfully on the global stage.
The celebration recognised Bontle Mdau from Pretoria East, Oreneile Hlalethwa from Hammanskraal and Rudzani Junior Munyai from Pimville, Soweto. Competing against some of the world’s brightest Information and Communication Technology (ICT) students, the trio demonstrated exceptional technical ability, teamwork and resilience, securing an impressive third-place finish in one of the world’s leading technology competitions.
The event brought together university leadership, Huawei South Africa representatives, staff, students and guests to celebrate a milestone that reflects SMU’s growing reputation for developing future-ready graduates. The achievement also highlights the strength of the University’s partnership with Huawei, which continues to provide students with opportunities to gain industry exposure, strengthen digital skills and compete on international platforms.
Delivering the keynote address, Acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Dini Mawela congratulated the students, describing their success as a proud achievement for both the university and South Africa. “This achievement demonstrates what is possible when talent, determination and quality education come together. You have flown the South African flag high and have shown that SMU students are capable of competing successfully on the global stage,” said Prof Mawela.
She encouraged the students to continue pursuing excellence and reminded them that they now serve as ambassadors for the university and role models for aspiring scientists, innovators and technology professionals.
Dean of the School of Science and Technology, Professor Lawrence Obi, said the students’ achievement reflects the University’s commitment to producing graduates capable of addressing real-world challenges through science, technology and innovation. “This achievement reflects the quality of our students, the dedication of our academic staff and our commitment to producing graduates who are equipped to solve real-world challenges through science, technology and innovation,” said Prof Obi.
Representing Huawei South Africa, Samantha Malapane commended the students’ professionalism, discipline and teamwork throughout the global finals. “The team represented South Africa with excellence, and we are incredibly proud of what they achieved. Their third-place finish is well deserved and is a testament to the hard work they invested throughout the competition,” she said.
During the ceremony, the students received the School of Science and Technology Excellence Award in recognition of their outstanding achievements and contributions to enhancing SMU’s international profile. Speaking on behalf of the team, Munyai expressed gratitude for the opportunity to represent both the university and the country. “Thanks to the excellence of Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University for equipping us with the skills and resilience to achieve this award,” he said.
Beyond the competition, the students gained valuable exposure to international best practices, emerging technologies and cross-cultural collaboration that will support their future careers. Their achievement reinforces the impact of the partnership between SMU and Huawei in preparing graduates with the knowledge, technical expertise and global perspective required in the rapidly evolving digital economy.
As SMU continues to advance excellence in teaching, learning and research, achievements such as this strengthen the University’s reputation as a leading institution that develops innovative graduates capable of making meaningful contributions to South Africa and the global knowledge economy.
By Dimakatso Modise
by Lorato | Aug 6, 2026 | Accolades and Achievements, All News, Alumni, SMU Media, Student Media
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) has recognised outstanding academic achievement by promoting Professor Ramokone Lisbeth Lebelo from Senior Lecturer to Associate Professor in the Department of Virology. The promotion, which took effect in June 2026, acknowledges her distinguished contributions to medical virology, research, postgraduate supervision and academic leadership, further strengthening the University’s commitment to advancing health sciences education and research.
Professor Lebelo has built an accomplished career spanning research, teaching, diagnostics and public health. She holds a joint PhD in Medical Science and Medical Virology awarded by the University of Antwerp in Belgium and the University of Limpopo in South Africa. Her research focuses on vaccine-preventable diseases, vaccinology and cancer-causing viruses, particularly human papillomavirus (HPV), with a strong emphasis on cervical cancer prevention, HPV epidemiology, vaccination and sexually transmitted infections. Alongside her academic responsibilities at SMU, she serves as Principal Medical Scientist at the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) and heads the HPV and STIs Training Centre for Africa.
Reflecting on this milestone, Professor Lebelo described her promotion as both a personal honour and a renewed commitment to serving society through research and education. “This promotion is both an honour and a responsibility. It reflects the support I have received from my colleagues, students and collaborators over the years. I remain committed to advancing research that improves public health while mentoring the next generation of scientists to reach their full potential,” she said.
She added that developing future scientists remains central to her professional mission. “My passion has always been to empower, motivate, uplift, educate and encourage young scientists, particularly those from less privileged backgrounds. I believe excellence is achieved through hard work, collaboration and creating opportunities for others to succeed,” she said.
Throughout her career, Professor Lebelo has established an impressive research portfolio, publishing extensively in leading peer-reviewed journals and presenting at national and international conferences. She has secured competitive research grants, supervised numerous postgraduate students and collaborated with researchers across South Africa and abroad. Her work has made significant contributions to understanding HPV infection, cervical cancer screening and prevention, and the epidemiology of viral diseases in resource-limited settings. In addition, she has accumulated extensive teaching experience in molecular biology, advanced virology, medical microbiology and clinical virology while serving on university committees, professional bodies and scientific review panels.
The promotion reflects a career characterised by academic excellence, scientific leadership and dedicated service to the health sciences sector. As an Associate Professor, Professor Lebelo is expected to continue expanding her internationally recognised research programme, strengthen scientific collaboration, and develop future leaders in medical virology. Her appointment also reinforces SMU’s confidence in her ability to drive research innovation, postgraduate training and Africa’s response to infectious diseases and HPV-related cancers.
Professor Lebelo’s promotion underscores SMU’s ongoing commitment to recognising excellence in research, teaching and academic leadership. By investing in scholars whose work advances healthcare, supports postgraduate education and addresses pressing public health challenges, the University continues to strengthen its reputation as a leading health sciences institution dedicated to transforming lives through excellence and innovation.
By Tumelo Moila
by Lorato | Aug 6, 2026 | Accolades and Achievements, All News, Alumni, SMU Media, Student Media
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) has promoted Prof Sechene Stanley Gololo from Associate Professor to Full Professor in recognition of his distinguished academic leadership, research excellence, and sustained contributions to teaching, postgraduate supervision, and community-focused scientific research. The promotion marks a significant milestone in his academic career and reinforces SMU’s commitment to advancing research and innovation in the health sciences.
The appointment reflects the rigorous criteria for promotion to the rank of full professor, including extensive research output, successful postgraduate supervision, curriculum development, academic leadership and national and international scholarly recognition. Prof Gololo’s achievements include supervising more than twenty master’s students and seven doctoral candidates, publishing more than 50 peer-reviewed scientific articles, contributing to book chapters, securing research funding, and providing strategic leadership within the university.
A phytochemist and biochemist, Prof Gololo’s research focuses on the ethnobotanical and pharmacological properties of South African medicinal plants, particularly their antioxidant and antimicrobial potential. His work also examines how environmental conditions influence the accumulation of bioactive compounds in medicinal plants and explores the use of phytochemical analysis to assess water quality. His research has contributed to the scientific understanding of indigenous medicinal plants while supporting the development of innovative health solutions.
Among his notable achievements, Prof Gololo led a team of researchers whose work led to provisional approval of intellectual property for “Molle mist” as a potential inhalant remedy for COVID-19. He currently serves as Head of the Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology and Vice-Dean of the School of Science and Technology, while also contributing as a journal reviewer and editorial board member for several international scientific journals.
Reflecting on his promotion, Prof Gololo said, “Being promoted to Full Professor is both a great honour and a humbling recognition of years of dedication to teaching, research and academic leadership. This achievement is not mine alone; it reflects the support of my colleagues, students and the university, whose encouragement has enabled me to pursue research that addresses real challenges facing our communities.”
Looking to the future, he emphasised his commitment to strengthening research capacity and mentoring the next generation of scientists. “My goal is to expand impactful research on medicinal plants, strengthen national and international collaborations and continue mentoring emerging researchers who will shape the future of science. I also hope to contribute to developing innovative, evidence-based health solutions that improve lives while advancing SMU’s reputation as a leading research-intensive institution.”
Prof Gololo joined SMU in 2010 as a Natural Scientist and Lecturer before progressing to Senior Lecturer, Researcher, Associate Professor, Head of Department and Vice-Dean. His career reflects more than a decade of dedication to teaching, research, postgraduate supervision and academic leadership within the institution.
Prof Gololo’s promotion demonstrates SMU’s commitment to recognising academic excellence and cultivating research leaders whose work contributes to scientific knowledge, innovation and societal development. As the university continues to strengthen its national and international profile, achievements such as this reinforce its mission to transform health services through excellence in teaching, learning, and innovative research.
By Tumelo Moila
