by Lorato | Nov 3, 2026 | All News, Alumni, SMU Media, Student Media
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) researcher and lecturer Dr Sithembiso Lethukuthula Ndwandwe has completed a PhD in Biochemistry, advancing research into the potential of selected medicinal plants traditionally used to treat respiratory viral infections.
His doctoral research, titled Efficacy of Formulated Herbal Concoction Comprising Selected Medicinal Plants Used for Treatment of Respiratory Viral Infections, investigated the antiviral, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of plant extracts and formulated concoction, as well as their potential toxicity on selected cell lines.
The study focused on formulating an evidence-based concoction from four medicinal plants: Artemisia afra, Lippia javanica, Tetradenia riparia and Tulbaghia violacea. Researchers selected these plants because of their traditional use in treating respiratory illnesses and related inflammatory conditions.
Ndwandwe’s research assessed the plants’ phytochemical composition and their activity against viral neuraminidase; an enzyme associated with influenza virus replication. It also examined the effects of individual extracts on inflammatory responses against those of the formulated concoction.
The findings revealed that the plant extracts contained several classes of phytochemicals, with different plant parts showing varying secondary metabolites levels, antioxidant and neuraminidase-inhibitory activity.
Among the findings, the ethanolic stem extract of Artemisia afra showed the strongest activity in two antioxidant assays, while the aqueous root extract of Lippia javanica recorded the strongest inhibition of viral neuraminidase among the tested extracts. Higher anti-neuraminidase activity was seen with aqueous plant extracts, which suggest that the active components against neuraminidase activity could be of extremely high polar in nature.
The study also found that extracts from Tetradenia riparia leaves demonstrated notable anti-inflammatory activity in laboratory tests, including inhibition of nitrite production. This study further demonstrated a positive correlative association between phytochemical content and nitrite inhibition in medicinal plants tested.
Stability studies on the formulated concoction were done looking at different parameters. Over the 28-day study, the concoction stayed physically stable, with no changes in colour, thickness, smell, or UV-Vis results. However, the concoction’s pH decreased before becoming stable, and microbial growth was found on m-Endo and MacConkey agars, while no Enterococcus growth was detected throughout the study. The results provide scientific evidence supporting further investigation into these plants’ medicinal properties and the formulated concoction.
Ndwandwe’s work contributes to a growing body of research examining how traditional medicinal knowledge can be investigated using scientific methods, potentially informing future pharmaceutical and health-related applications.
His academic journey at SMU includes a BSc in Physical and Mineral Sciences (2016), a BSc Honours in Biochemistry (2017), and an MSc in Biochemistry, completed cum laude in 2020, before earning his doctorate in 2026.
Alongside his research, Ndwandwe has contributed to undergraduate teaching in Biochemistry and Biotechnology at SMU since 2021. His responsibilities include preparing and presenting lectures and developing and marking assessments.
He has also supervised nine postgraduate students to completion and is currently supervising five Honours and master’s students. In addition, he serves as deputy chair of the Departmental Research and Postgraduate Committee and participates in the university’s community engagement, marketing, and outreach committees.
He presented his PhD research at nine conferences, including the ISE-APSS International Conference, the Tshwane District Health Research Conference, and the South African Association of Botanists conference. He also published five papers in peer reviewed journals from his PhD work.
Through his combined research, teaching and postgraduate supervision, Ndwandwe continues to contribute to scientific inquiry and the development of emerging researchers at SMU.
“The most difficult step is often the first one. Our forefathers have already laid the foundation and provided generations of empirical evidence showing that these traditional systems work. Our task is comparatively simpler: to use modern technology to explain the molecular mechanisms behind what has long been observed in practice. We are, because they were. They were, so that we can become.”
By Tumelo Moila
by Lorato | Nov 3, 2026 | All News, Alumni, SMU Media, Student Media
Final-year Physiotherapy students at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) are turning academic curiosity into meaningful healthcare contributions through research that promotes critical thinking, scientific inquiry, and evidence-based practice.
The Department of Physiotherapy recently hosted its Undergraduate Research Day under the theme “Curiosity Today… Impact Tomorrow”, allowing students to present their research findings and show how undergraduate research can help address healthcare challenges.
The event celebrated the students’ research journey, from developing research questions and protocols to obtaining ethical clearance, collecting and analysing data, and presenting their findings. It also reinforced the department’s commitment to cultivating graduates who are not only clinically competent but also equipped to contribute to scientific knowledge and healthcare innovation.
Coordinated by Dr Evah Molapisi, Undergraduate Coordinator in the Department of Physiotherapy, the initiative provides an important foundation for developing a sustainable undergraduate research culture.
“Undergraduate Research Day provides an important platform for our students to appreciate the value of scientific inquiry and recognise that research is an essential component of their development as future healthcare professionals. We want to nurture curious graduates, critical thinkers and capable of contributing to evidence-based practice,” said Dr Molapisi.
Delivering the keynote address, SMU Research Associate Dr Kgosana Koketso Rakhudu challenged students and academics to consider the broader social responsibility of research, emphasising that its value should extend beyond academic institutions.
“Research must never become an exercise that begins and ends within the walls of an academic institution. Its real value lies in its ability to respond to societal needs, address challenges and generate solutions that improve the lives of the communities we serve,” he said.
Dr Rakhudu further highlighted researchers’ ethical responsibility to recognise communities as partners in knowledge generation and ensure that research findings benefit the people involved.
“Researchers have an ethical responsibility to return to these communities, share their findings and demonstrate the value of the research undertaken,” he added.
The event also attracted academic and professional representatives, including Dr Mashudu Nemakanga, Undergraduate Research Chairperson in the School of Health Care Sciences, and Dr Mmapedi Mathibe, Senior Lecturer and Field Epidemiologist at SMU. Their participation strengthened academic engagement and created opportunities for collaboration.
Representing the final-year class, Lebogang Mahlangu shared reflections on behalf of fellow students, highlighting the experiences, challenges and learning opportunities that shaped their research journey. Mr Veeru Bahau, from the Department of Physiotherapy at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital and a representative of the Gauteng Rehabilitation Research Forum, also attended, reinforcing the importance of collaboration between universities, clinical practitioners and research networks.
A key highlight was the presentation of research findings by final-year students. Their work demonstrated encouraging scientific inquiry, analytical reasoning and academic maturity. The external examiner commended the quality of the presentations, noting that some demonstrated a standard comparable to postgraduate-level research.
“The quality of the research presented was impressive. These findings deserve to be developed further and considered for publication so that the knowledge generated can reach a wider academic and professional audience,” the external examiner remarked.
This recognition allows the department to advance promising undergraduate research outputs toward publication and wider academic dissemination.
The event reaffirmed SMU’s commitment to excellence in teaching, learning and innovative research. By nurturing research-minded graduates and strengthening connections between academic scholarship and community needs, the university continues to help develop responsive healthcare professionals and improve health outcomes.
By Dimakatso Modise
by Lorato | Nov 3, 2026 | All News, Alumni, SMU Media, Student Media
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) has appointed Dr Velencia Maupye as Manager of its Transformation Office within the Human Capital and Transformation Department, reinforcing the university’s commitment to institutional transformation, diversity, inclusion and organisational development.
In her new role, Dr Maupye will lead the development and implementation of SMU’s transformation strategy, coordinate strategic initiatives, engage executive leadership and guide transformation governance structures. She will also support the Executive Director: Human Capital and Transformation in advancing the university’s transformation objectives and translating strategic priorities into measurable outcomes.
“Transformation must be embedded in the everyday practices, policies and culture of an institution. It requires collective commitment, meaningful engagement and sustained action to create an environment in which everyone is treated with dignity and respect,” Dr Maupye said.
Dr Maupye brings extensive experience in transformation management, gender mainstreaming, employment equity, organisational culture, and change management. Her career spans higher education and government, with expertise in policy development, stakeholder engagement, change management and institutional programme implementation.
She previously served as Head of Transformation at the University of Venda, where she provided strategic leadership on GBV and femicide, employment equity, diversity initiatives, change management and organisational culture transformation. Before that, she worked at SMU as Manager: Gender-Based Violence from December 2021 to June 2024 and served as Acting Manager: Transformation from December 2023 to June 2024.
Her earlier career includes positions at the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, National Treasury, the Department of Correctional Services and the Department of Social Development. These roles strengthened her experience in transformation, gender-responsive planning, employee wellness, diversity management and support for vulnerable groups.
“Effective transformation depends on policies being translated into practical interventions that address institutional challenges. Listening to stakeholders, using evidence to guide decisions and holding ourselves accountable for progress are essential to achieving sustainable change,” she said.
In her new position, Dr Maupye will work with deans, heads of departments, directors and managers to strengthen transformation policies, identify organisational challenges and promote a workplace culture aligned with SMU’s vision, mission and values.
Her qualifications include a Master of Arts in Social Work from the University of the Witwatersrand, a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from the University of Limpopo and a Postgraduate Diploma in Project Management from MANCOSA. She also holds a Prosci Certified Change Practitioner qualification, obtained in 2025, and has completed several management and strategy development programmes.
Dr Maupye’s appointment reinforces SMU’s focus on building an accountable, inclusive and high-performing institution. Through effective transformation governance, stakeholder collaboration and evidence-based interventions, the university aims to strengthen its organisational culture while supporting staff and students.
As a dedicated health sciences university committed to excellence in teaching, learning and innovative research, SMU continues to position transformation as a critical component of its institutional development and its contribution to the health and well-being of the communities it serves.
By Tumelo Moila
by Lorato | Nov 3, 2026 | All News, Alumni, SMU Media, Student Media
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) is strengthening the relationship between traditional leadership, academic research, and community development by appointing Kgosana Dr Koketso Rakhudu Goodwill as a Research Associate in the Department of Public Health, School of Health Care Sciences.
The three-year appointment marks an important step towards advancing community-centred research and strengthening partnerships between higher education institutions and traditional leadership structures. It also recognises the role of traditional leaders in supporting research-driven interventions that address public health and socioeconomic challenges.
Kgosana Dr Rakhudu, a practising Traditional Leader of Tsitsing, Kgotla Ya Rakhudu, within the Royal Bafokeng Nation, brings a combination of customary leadership experience, international exposure and expertise in public management, corporate governance and social impact. He is also a Mandela Washington Fellow, having received specialised training in Public Management and Corporate Governance at Georgia State University in the United States.
His appointment builds on his involvement in the Bafokeng Health and Demographic Surveillance System (BAMMISHO), where he serves as Deputy Chairperson. BAMMISHO is the seventh and newest research node of the South African Population Research Infrastructure Network (SAPRIN), providing an important platform for generating population-level evidence to inform health research, policy development and interventions that respond to community needs.
Reflecting on the importance of integrating traditional leadership into academic research, Kgosana Dr Rakhudu said communities should be recognised as active contributors to knowledge production, not merely recipients of research interventions.
“Traditional leadership must evolve beyond the administration of customary responsibilities to become an active instrument of social transformation. Our communities should not merely be subjects of research; they must be meaningful participants in generating knowledge, shaping interventions and determining the development pathways that affect their lives,” he said.
In his Research Associate capacity, he will contribute to research, teaching and community-based health innovation, creating opportunities to connect academic scholarship with practical community needs. His involvement is also expected to strengthen institutional partnerships and support research-informed approaches to rural healthcare challenges.
Beyond his traditional leadership and academic responsibilities, Kgosana Dr Rakhudu serves as Chairperson of Hakem Energies, where he drives renewable energy initiatives and opportunities for small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs). He is also Deputy Chairperson of the North West Provincial Council on AIDS (Private Sector), contributing to partnerships that extend rural health programmes to vulnerable populations.
His expertise in Community Mineral Succession and Social Impact Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) focuses on protecting community interests during mining ownership transfers. This includes regulatory compliance, transaction due diligence, monitoring Social and Labour Plan and Environmental Management Programme obligations, and developing sustainable community trusts and procurement structures.
“Natural resources must translate into enduring community prosperity. The true measure of responsible investment is not simply the economic value extracted, but the extent to which communities secure sustainable benefits through accountable governance, meaningful participation and enforceable commitments,” he said.
These principles inform Plan 2035, his vision for developing a self-sufficient, knowledge-driven and healthy Tsitsing. The initiative brings together land stewardship, renewable energy, healthcare, education and enterprise development, supported by transparent governance and evidence-based impact measurement.
For SMU, the appointment reinforces its commitment to excellence in teaching, learning and innovative research, while recognising the importance of meaningful community engagement in improving health and well-being.
By bringing traditional leadership and academic expertise closer together, the university is creating opportunities for research to respond more directly to community priorities and contribute to sustainable development.
By Dimakatso Modise
by Lorato | Oct 29, 2026 | Accolades and Achievements, All News, Alumni, SMU Media, Student Media
Master of Pharmacy student Mahlorhi Baloyi has earned national recognition for his contribution to pharmaceutical research and his potential to shape the future of healthcare, receiving the Merit Award in the Future Pharmacist: Young Pioneer category at the 4th National Pharmacy Conference in Durban.
The achievement marks a significant milestone for Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU), with Baloyi becoming the first SMU representative to receive a Young Pioneer Award of this kind. His recognition highlights the university’s commitment to developing emerging healthcare professionals who combine academic excellence, research, leadership and service to society.
Held recently at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre, the conference brought together healthcare professionals and stakeholders under the theme “A Glimpse into the Future: Advancing Pharmacy Towards 2050”. The event provided a platform to recognise emerging professionals whose work and potential can advance pharmacy and strengthen South Africa’s healthcare system.
Baloyi received the award following a nomination and merit-based assessment. Presented during the National Pharmacy Pioneer Awards celebrations, the certificate and trophy recognised his potential and commitment to pharmaceutical practice, research, ethical conduct, leadership and professional service.
Reflecting on the achievement, Baloyi said: “Receiving this award is a significant milestone in my academic and professional journey. It encourages me to continue pursuing excellence in pharmaceutical research and practice while contributing meaningfully to improving healthcare delivery in South Africa.”
The conference also emphasised the importance of maintaining high standards in pharmacy. Minister of Health Dr Pakishe Aaron Motsoaledi highlighted the need to protect the profession’s integrity and standards, reinforcing the importance of professional accountability and excellence in strengthening the health system.
Beyond receiving the award, Baloyi presented research examining the potential budgetary impact of implementing a prostate cancer treatment intervention in South Africa’s public healthcare sector. His presentation demonstrated his interest in generating evidence to inform healthcare planning, pharmaceutical budgeting, and decisions about the responsible allocation of limited resources.
“Research should not end with academic presentations or publications. It should inform decisions, support effective healthcare planning and ultimately contribute to better patient outcomes,” Baloyi said. “In a resource-constrained healthcare system, locally relevant evidence can help decision-makers assess interventions and use available resources more sustainably.”
Baloyi credited his parents for their sacrifices and unwavering support, while acknowledging the guidance of his mentors and research supervisors. He also thanked Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital for supporting his clinical experience and SMU for providing an academic environment where he could develop his knowledge, pursue research, and grow as an emerging healthcare leader.
Looking ahead, Baloyi aims to build a career at the intersection of healthcare research, health economics, leadership and public health. He hopes to bridge the gap between research and practice, ensuring that evidence informs decisions that strengthen healthcare delivery and improve access to quality services.
He also encouraged young people to pursue excellence, seek mentorship and remain committed to learning, regardless of their circumstances or career stage. “Young people should not allow their current circumstances or the early stages of their careers to limit what they believe they can achieve. We must remain willing to learn, embrace challenges and use our knowledge and skills to make a difference in the lives of others,” he said.
Baloyi’s achievement reflects SMU’s mission to advance health services through excellence and innovation. By supporting students who pursue research, professional leadership and service, the university continues to contribute to developing healthcare professionals equipped to address South Africa’s health challenges and help shape the future of the profession.
By Tumelo Moila
by Lorato | Oct 29, 2026 | Accolades and Achievements, All News, Alumni, SMU Media, Student Media
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) is advancing research into antimicrobial resistance through the doctoral work of Dr Nishana Ramdas, who graduated with a PhD in Pharmacy at the university’s 2026 Spring Graduation Ceremony. Her doctoral research addresses a critical public health challenge by examining the behavioural factors that influence antibiotic use among patients in South Africa’s primary healthcare system.
Titled Development and Validation of a Community Anti-Microbial Use Scale (CAMUS) for Use at Primary Health Care Level in South Africa, the research developed and validated a tool to help identify misconceptions, social influences and behavioural patterns associated with inappropriate antibiotic use.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when microorganisms develop the ability to resist medicines designed to treat infections. Inappropriate antibiotic use contributes to this growing global threat, making responsible medicine use and effective antimicrobial stewardship essential to protecting public health.
Dr Ramdas’s research involved a sequential mixed-methods approach, including a scoping review, instrument development, pilot testing and psychometric validation. The study surveyed 1,283 adult patients across 25 public healthcare facilities in Gauteng and Limpopo.
The findings revealed significant misconceptions about antibiotics. More than three-quarters of participants (76.5%) believed antibiotics could cure colds and flu, while 22.8% reported obtaining antibiotics without a prescription. Among those reporting non-prescribed use, community pharmacies were the primary source, accounting for 81.7%.
The research also found that non-prescribed antibiotic use was significantly associated with inadequate health literacy, misconceptions about antibiotics and permissive social and behavioural norms. Non-prescribed use was more prevalent in high-density peri-urban township settlements (36.3%) than in rural areas (16%).
These findings highlight that inappropriate antibiotic use extends beyond gaps in knowledge and is also influenced by social practices, health literacy and community expectations.
The 30-item CAMUS instrument measures five domains: understanding of antibiotics; social and behavioural norms; non-prescribed use and community practices; understanding of antimicrobial resistance; and attitudes and beliefs influencing patient demand for antibiotics. The validated tool offers a structured approach to identifying factors that may inform targeted, patient-centred antimicrobial stewardship interventions.
Dr Ramdas’s achievement builds on an extensive career in pharmacy, public health and pharmaceutical services. She continues to support the National Department of Health (NDoH) in the coordination and implementation of the national Central Chronic Medicine Dispensing and Distribution (CCMDD) programme, which aims to improve access to chronic medicines for patients in South Africa. Her professional experience also includes pharmaceutical systems strengthening and healthcare workforce training.
In addition to her ongoing work supporting the national CCMDD programme, Dr Ramdas was appointed as an extraordinary lecturer in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Pretoria in 2026. She also contributes to postgraduate research co-supervision, curriculum development and university teaching.
Her doctoral research has contributed to five first-author publications in international peer-reviewed scientific journals, covering community antibiotic use, behavioural influences and the development and validation of CAMUS. These contributions support evidence-based approaches to strengthening antimicrobial stewardship and improving appropriate antibiotic use.
The study recommends moving beyond awareness campaigns towards community-based interventions that address health literacy and social influences. It also highlights opportunities to improve communication between healthcare professionals and patients, strengthen oversight of access to non-prescribed antibiotics, and integrate CAMUS into national surveillance strategies.
Through Dr Ramdas’s doctoral achievement, SMU reinforces its commitment to innovative research, professional training and evidence-based solutions to public health challenges. The work shows how research in South Africa’s health sciences sector can inform interventions to improve patient care and address antimicrobial resistance.
By Tumelo Moila
