Dear Staff and Students
Please see attached communique from DHET for your information.
An SMU specific communique will be released once we have engaged with the Chairperson of our Covid Task Team.
Best regards to you and your loved ones as we approach 2021.
SMU Management
Download Communique to universities on the reintroduction of Level 3 of the national lockdown
Dear Academic Staff Members and Students
As the 2020 year comes to close, let me thank you for incredible work, dedication and commitment you exhibited throughout this uncommon year with all its challenges.
The final year students have taken their oaths and will be starting with their internships and community services in their respective areas of specialities in health services where their skills are mostly required.
To the final year students who are leaving this year I wish you the very best for a happy and healthy future.
To those who are celebrating Christmas I wish you well with your families and for those who are travelling safe journeys and continue adhering to health and safety protocols.
Yours Truly
Prof Eunice Seekoe
Deputy Vice Chancellor: Teaching, Learning and Community Engagement
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University.
End of the year message to academic staff and students at SMU
It is with great excitement we announce that Prof Simon Nemutandani, Dean of WITS Dental School and the Chairperson of the Association of Deans in Southern Africa is the newly appointed President of HPCSA. In him taking this position, our own Professor Stephen Hendricks, Dean of SMU Oral Health Sciences has been nominated by Deans to serve as Chair of the Dental Deans Committee for the next 2 years. Professor Hendricks will join Prof Nemutandani in the HPCSA Council meetings where the Chair of Dental Deans and Medical Deans have a seat. “I am delighted because Prof Nemutandani was my PhD student at UP where I was his PhD Supervisor and he completed his PhD in 2 years full time. Its this excellence I as Dean strive for us to achieve at SMU SOHS.” says Professor Stephen Hendricks.
Both Professor Nemutandani and Professor Hendricks have an extensive experience and track record in public health, they are and have played a critical role in the conversion of oral health at the national health level and institutions of higher learning. They are also part of the team that is responsible for developing the Oral Health Strategy in South African. SMU is proud to be associated with such dedicated and goal driven professionals.
Issued by:
Department of Marketing and Communications
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University
10th December 2020
Download Appointment Letter for Professor Simon Nemutandani appointed President of HPCSA
SMU Alumni e-Newsletter: 2nd Edition 2020 is now available for download. More details can be accessed by following the download below: Alumni-e-newsletter-2nd-Edition_
Ms Raphiri, HIV Coordinator, School of Oral Health Sciences
Organised on World AIDS Day (WAD) by Dr Khanya Makwakwa, the Candle Lighting Ceremony had dual purposes – to remember all the health care professionals who succumbed to AIDS and COVID 19; and also to link up this locally organised ceremony with the campaign, by the World Health Organisations (WHO), expressed as Sustainable Development Goals, to eradicate all communicable diseases by 2030.
Dr Makwakwa, from the school of oral health sciences, highlighted that the 2020 WAD theme “We are in this together” sought to inspire communities to join hands in solidarity with those who are infected, affected and living with COVID 19 and HIV/AIDS. She also added that the memory of all the health care professionals who have died in the line of duty, should be kept alive and never be forgotten.
Dr Khanya Makwakwa, School of Oral Health Sciences
Held mainly as a virtual event, in line with the COVID 19 social distancing regulations, the ceremony was addressed by several speakers ranging from Ms Raphiri, who is the school of oral health sciences HIV coordinator who spoke about the programme she is championing to raise awareness about AIDS and making sure that AIDS stays under the spotlight, amidst COVID 19 distraction.
By Maditsi Matlala