Call for Nominations: Two Representatives of Donors to serve on the SMU Council

by Kegorapetse | Aug 28, 2020 | SMU Media

Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) plays an important role in addressing the human capital needs of South Africa and the rest of the African continent in both health care and science & technology fields.

The Council of the SMU is the governing body of the University, and has, as part of its fiduciary duty, a responsibility to determine the strategic direction of the University.

Two vacancies in the category of Council members elected from the ranks of the donors of the University have to be filled for a four-year term, aligned to the Council’s term of office.

The nomination process for the two donor representatives on the Council of the SMU is described in paragraph 59 of the SMU Statute as follows:

The Registrar must call for written nominations of persons to be elected from the ranks of the University donors in the printed and/or electronic media, as appropriate.
Nominations must be signed by at least two proposers and by the nominee, indicating his or her acceptance of the nomination.
All donors who qualify as such in terms of Chapter 10 of the Statute of the SMU, i.e. persons or organisations that have donated R20 000 or more over a five-year period (2015 to 2019), are hereby invited to nominate persons from the ranks of the donors to serve on the Council of the University.

Each nomination should be accompanied by a short curriculum vitae of the nominee and must be signed or seconded by at least two donors. In addition, the nominee must indicate his/her acceptance of the nomination in writing. Nomination forms are available from the Office of the Registrar.

Nominations must reach the Registrar of the University no later than 16:00 on Wednesday, 30 September 2020.

The Registrar will deal with the nominations in accordance with the election procedures set out in the Statute and announce the results in due course. A Council member thus appointed will serve on the Council in his or her personal capacity and not as a representative of any interest group.

Please direct all enquiries and nominations to Ms Tshepo Dorcus Malemela, Office of the Registrar, Clinical Pathology Building, 5th Floor via email to dorcus.malemela@smu.ac.za

Download: Call-for-Nominations-Donors_31-August-2020

In memory: Dr. Vejay Ramlakan, former SMU Council member

by Kegorapetse | Aug 28, 2020 | SMU Media

It is with great sadness that the University announces the death of Dr. Vejay Ramlakan, former Deputy Chairperson and a Council member at SMU until 30 June 2019. Dr. Ramlakan, age 62, died in the afternoon of the 27th August 2020 at a Johannesburg hospital due to heart attack.

The university is saddened by the news of his sudden passing. Dr Ramlakan dedicated his life in struggle for liberation of South Africa, and served the liberation movement and the democratic government in various capacities. He was a strong champion and partner, and a personal friend of Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University. He was indeed a gifted leader and innovative thinker. Dr. Ramlakan shared generously with his fellow Council members the insights and wisdom he gained from his life-long record of achievement as a physician and a member of Umkhonto weSizwe during the liberation struggle.

Dr. Ramlakan served as a member of the SMU Council, the governing board of the University, since 2015, and also served as Acting Chairperson of Council for a short period in 2019. As a member of the Council, Dr. Ramlakan profoundly and passionately advocated the role of higher education as a means to promote human development, peace and sustainability — goals that align closely with the mandate of SMU. He will be deeply missed by his fellow Council members and the rest of the community members of SMU. As a former member of Council, Dr. Ramlakan continued to support the University to be the benchmark institution providing holistic health sciences education that meets the health needs of the individual, the family and community in general.

On behalf of the entire University community, the Council expresses its heartfelt condolences to Dr. Ramlakan’s family, friends and comrades.

Yours truly

Maria Mulalo Rambauli
Chairperson of Council

Download: DR-V-RAMLAKAN-STATEMENT-CHAIR-28Aug2020

Return of Students to the University Owned Residences and University-Leased Residences during Alert Level 2

by Kegorapetse | Aug 21, 2020 | SMU Media

1. The President of the Republic, Mr. Ramaphosa has announced that the country should be moved to alert level 2 of the risk adjusted strategy by midnight on 17 August 2020. The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation has announced sometime back that each University would be allowed to bring back a total of 66% of the total student headcount to the campus during alert level 2.
2. Informed by the above, the Executive Committee of Senate (ECS) met on 20 August 2020 to discuss the matter, and resolved to bring back to the University owned residences and University leased residences the students as follows guided by the 66% maximum limit allowable:

For more details, please follow the link below:

SMU wishes all women a very happy Women’s Day

by Kegorapetse | Aug 9, 2020 | SMU Media

Women of 1956, who defied all odds and confronted the erstwhile Apartheid regime. Through a peaceful and organized protest, over 20 000 women from all races staged a historic march to the Union Buildings as a sign of defiance to the unjust pass laws that were extended to women in the country. Led by Lillian Ngoyi, Albertina Sisulu, Sophia De Bruyn and Helen Joseph amongst others, these women challenged the state in a manner unparalleled and their valiant deeds continue to inspire many across the globe.

The 2020 commemoration of Women’s Day however, takes place under very difficult circumstances as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic that has affected the whole world. In our country it is also important to mention that we are still under a government imposed lockdown with clear restrictions on some activities.

We also sadly are aware about the current challenges still confronting our women even during this period of the lockdown. Many women continue to face the menace of Gender Based Violence (GBV) and femicide. Sadly, it is also widely reported that members of the LGBTQI community are still subjected to serious levels of abuse as well. The rural women, the young girls, women with disabilities and elderly women continue to bear the brunt of poverty, inequality and in some cases perennial abuse.

It is for this reason that we all need to stand up and support these women and play our part by acting in a manner that is consistent with respecting their rights. In line with the 2020 Theme “Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights for an Equal Future”, we call upon Women to reclaim their space and determine their own future like the 1956 generation did.

At Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, it has to be part of our organizational culture that Women are treated equally and with the respect they deserve. As part of celebrating our women in the university, we pause and recognize those who have been given leadership and management responsibilities and hope that they will inspire more women to develop themselves and also take up huge responsibilities. We celebrate all academic and administrative support staff at all levels, our message of gratitude also goes to the cleaners, the security personnel and all our female students. We salute these female students and urge them to continue to fight for equal education opportunities and equal representation.

How can we also forget the fallen heroines – the SMU Alumni who passed on? They have made a meaningful contribution in the lives of the people.
In order to give meaningful impetus to the call for the realization of this year’s Theme, our policies in the university should continue to speak to the emancipation, protection and recognition of women as part of addressing the inequalities that women are subjected to.

We join the rest of the country in wishing everyone a very happy Women’s Day.

Issued by: Marketing and Communication
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University

Download: SMU-WomensDay-Message-2020