by Lorato | Jan 21, 2026 | All News, SMU Media, Student Media
At just 22 years old, Andile Moloi, a medical student from Tembisa, Gauteng, is already making waves far beyond the classroom. Currently in her fifth year of the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) programme at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU), Moloi is a rising star in health sciences, youth leadership, and innovation.
Moloi’s journey began early. At age 10, she was elected Chairperson of Soul Buddyz, a school programme addressing social issues. By 12, she led an anti-drug campaign through the Youth Citizens Action Programme, winning first place in Gauteng and ranking nationally in the top three. “I’ve always believed leadership means serving others,” she reflects.
Her academic excellence in mathematics, science, and technology saw her participate in various Olympiads and lead a carbon dioxide reduction project that placed top ten provincially. Through Nkathuto Edu Propeller, a non-profit promoting STEM and entrepreneurship in disadvantaged communities, Moloi advanced as Academic Officer and became the first Chairperson of its Alumni Community—a network of young innovators.
Moloi’s dedication attracted partnerships with prestigious bodies including the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), National Research Foundation (NRF), and SAASTA, and involvement in United Nations youth science programmes.
Despite a broad scientific interest, Moloi’s heart lies in medicine, particularly surgery and neuroscience. A personal tragedy during her second year, when her father passed away following emergency brain surgery, profoundly shaped her focus. “That moment changed everything,” she says. “It inspired me to pursue medicine with empathy and purpose.”
Moloi’s academic achievements earned her a Gauteng City Region Academy scholarship as one of the top three public school matriculants in the province, enabling her studies at SMU. At university, she tutors chemistry, anatomy, biophysics, and pathology and mentors first-year students. In 2023, she was named one of South Africa’s Top 100 Most Promising students by GradStar and featured in the Mail & Guardian for her leadership.
Professor Risenga Frank Chauke, Dean of SMU’s School of Medicine, praises her as “a rare blend of intellectual brilliance and human compassion.” He adds, “Moloi exemplifies servant leadership, and her commitment suggests a future not only as a medical professional but a job creator who will uplift the economy.”
Beyond academics, Moloi is an innovator. She leads projects developing sustainable alternative charging solutions aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This work earned her selection as a South African delegate to the largest African entrepreneurship and innovation summit, scheduled for May 2025 in Sierra Leone.
Her leadership at SMU is extensive, including roles as Community Outreach Officer for the Surgical Society, Social Media Officer for the Diagnostic Society, Finance Officer for Medics on Motion, and ambassador for the Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice (IPECP) programme.
Moloi credits her journey to mentors and supporters, including her late father, mother, teachers, and university leaders. “I represent millions of underrepresented youth who are creative and brilliant but lack opportunities,” she said as keynote speaker at the Youth Indaba on Research Commercialisation and Entrepreneurship. “I spoke about the education gap in science, technology, and health, the challenges women face, and the urgent need for mentorship from an early age.”
As she nears graduation, she is focused on specialising in neurosurgery while continuing to lead innovations that transform healthcare and society.
By Dimakatso Modise
by Lorato | Jan 21, 2026 | All News, SMU Media, Student Media
Nontobeko Khoza is redefining what leadership looks like from spaces society too often overlooks. At 19 and as a second-year Bachelor of Audiology student at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU), she is proving that leadership doesn’t require a title; it starts with presence, advocacy, and purpose. Living with a physical disability, Khoza stands as a quiet yet powerful advocate for inclusion, not only within health sciences but across every space where voices like hers have long been absent.
Her choice to study audiology is more than academic; it’s personal. “In rural areas, people living with hearing loss are often ignored or misunderstood. Many believe it’s witchcraft, or they simply don’t have access to help,” she explains. “I want to be the voice that changes that.” For Khoza, leadership means advocacy. Every step she takes, every classroom she enters, is a statement: she belongs. “My disability isn’t a limitation. It’s my reason to lead. It gives me purpose.”
At SMU, Khoza found more than education; she found a platform. The university’s commitment to inclusivity and transformation has provided her not only with practical tools but also a sense of belonging. A specialised wheelchair and clinical assistant have helped her navigate physical spaces, while her presence within the university community challenges long-standing perceptions of who belongs in healthcare leadership.
Khoza’s message is clear: “Inclusion isn’t about being accommodated. It’s about being counted.” Her leadership voice grew louder when she was invited to share her journey at a university staff conference, an experience that shifted her perspective. “It reminded me that my voice matters, and that there’s power in sharing my journey.” She draws strength from her faith, guided by the verse: “I can do all things through Him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13).
Yet her advocacy is grounded not in personal triumph, but in the belief that change must be collective. “I don’t want to be an exception. I want to open the way for others.” As South Africa celebrates Women’s Month, Khoza challenges the nation to widen the lens: “It’s not just about gender equity, it’s about real inclusion. We need to be part of the conversation, not an afterthought.” She adds, “Women with disabilities aren’t just part of the conversation. We deserve to lead it.” Her message to young women like herself is simple but radical: “You are not defined by the limits others place on you. You can lead from wherever you stand.”
With every lecture attended, every conversation started, and every barrier crossed, Khoza is not asking for inclusion; she’s demonstrating it. At SMU, she’s not just learning to heal others; she’s teaching a university and a nation what real inclusion looks like. In the margins where others tried to place her, she is leading the way and she is advocating for change.
By Tumelo Moila
by Lorato | Jan 15, 2026 | All News, SMU Media, Student Media
Mukhethwa Managa never set out to be anyone’s role model. Yet, by choosing to live boldly and unapologetically, she has become just that—a quiet symbol of courage in spaces where difference is often met with silence.
A double-degree graduate from Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU), Managa’s story is not about fitting in. It’s about belonging on her own terms. “Coming out was painful, but necessary,” she recalls. “I wasn’t trying to prove anything. I just wanted to be free.”
Known to many by her stage name Alpha Art, the 27-year-old from Tshidzini village in Venda grew up navigating a world that offered few reflections of herself. As a proud member of the LGBTIQ+ community, she knew early that her identity would challenge expectations. University, however, was where her fight for authenticity took shape.
At SMU, she earned not just academic degrees—a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Physiology, and a professional qualification in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, but something far more important: her voice. “At SMU, I found spaces that accepted me and spaces that didn’t,” she says. “But the LGBTQIA+ student organisation changed everything. It showed me that being myself wasn’t something to apologise for.”
Support from peers and mentors gave her the courage to be visible in a community where invisibility often felt safer. From lecture halls to football fields, Managa began to live out loud. Her leadership shows itself in many forms. As a rapper, sketch artist, and soccer player, she pushes past the limits others place on womanhood.
“I’ve learned that womanhood looks different for everyone,” she explains. “Some women are feminine, others masculine. All of us deserve to belong.” For Managa, belonging is not just about visibility, it’s about using visibility as a platform for others.“When people see me walking boldly across campus or on stage as Alpha Art, I want them to know they can be themselves, too. That’s leadership.”
She hopes that SMU and institutions like it will continue expanding spaces where diverse identities of womanhood are celebrated, not merely tolerated. “Institutions need to stop thinking of inclusion as optional. It’s essential to developing real leaders.”
Managa’s journey isn’t framed by awards or titles. Her legacy is quieter but no less powerful: showing others that strength lies in living truthfully. Her advice to those navigating identity in spaces that weren’t built for them? “Live out loud. You don’t need permission to be yourself.”
Today, as a qualified healthcare professional, an artist, and a woman rewriting her own definition of strength, Managa is proof that leadership begins with authenticity. And at SMU, her story and her voice found room to grow.
By Tumelo Moila
by Lorato | Jan 15, 2026 | All News, SMU Media, Student Media
Leadership doesn’t always look like authority; sometimes, it looks like authenticity. For Kelebogile Nonkwelo, living openly as a queer woman living with HIV is more than personal truth; it’s a form of leadership that empowers others to believe in their worth. From her rural childhood in Ngqeleni to her role as Senior Health HIV/AIDS Officer at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU), her journey is one of visibility, compassion, and creating spaces where others no longer have to hide. In her truth, others find courage.
Originally from Ngqeleni in the Nyandeni District of the Eastern Cape, Nonkwelo’s rural upbringing shaped her passion for public health and social justice. “Growing up, I witnessed the devastating effects of HIV/AIDS. Not just the illness, but the silence and shame surrounding it. I knew I had to be part of the change,” she reflects.
Diagnosed with HIV 22 years ago, Nonkwelo draws strength from her journey and channels it into her work. “Living with HIV has taught me empathy. I don’t just see people’s conditions, I see their pain, strength, and stories,” she says. While she occasionally conducts HIV counselling in a colleague’s absence, her primary role focuses on broader health promotion and support, including awareness campaigns, peer educator programmes, and implementation of the Higher-Health mandate.
Her work spans ten key focus areas, ranging from gender-based violence and mental wellness to sexual reproductive health and LGBTQIA+ inclusion. “No two days are the same,” she shares. “But each one reminds me why this work matters.” Nonkwelo’s impact reaches far beyond her formal job description. As a queer woman living with HIV, she openly shares her story to empower others facing similar challenges. “Disclosing my status was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. But it allowed others to see that healing, growth, and success are still possible,” she says.
Her journey from a rural village to a leadership position at one of South Africa’s premier medical universities is a source of pride. “From where I come from, girls weren’t expected to lead or even dream big. I’m here to say: rural girls have power too.”
Navigating dual marginalisation, both as a queer woman and someone living with HIV, has not been easy. “People judged me for where I came from and what I live with. But I never let that define my worth or derail my mission,” she says. Nonkwelo believes visibility is a powerful form of healing. “Representation matters. When students see someone like them in a leadership role, thriving and unafraid, it permits them to do the same.”
She applauds SMU’s strides toward diversity and inclusion, particularly the work done by the Advocacy and Diversity unit under Student Affairs. However, she urges continuous progress: “Policy must always translate into everyday practice.”
She asserts that SMU is more than a workplace; it’s the platform where she shows up, fully seen, and where her presence tells a story of possibility. Each day, in counselling rooms, awareness campaigns, and quiet conversations, she offers a message that transcends HIV, gender, and identity: “You are not broken. You are whole. You are worthy.” In her truth, others find courage. And in her visibility, they find permission to lead.
By Tumelo Moila
by Lorato | Jan 15, 2026 | All News, SMU Media, Student Media
In the fast-paced world of broadcasting, prime-time radio is more than a slot; it’s a platform of influence. At SMU FM, three women are turning microphones into megaphones for change. From early-morning power talks to drive-time debates and sports commentary, Thato Ledwaba, Rose Moreki, and Thandi Caroline Sebola are setting the tone, not only for the station but for the Ga-Rankuwa community at large.
Each presenter leads one of SMU FM’s top shows: The Morning Brew, The Soulful Lounge, SMU Sports, and The Ultimate Drive, bringing their unique voices to conversations that matter.
Thato Ledwaba, host of The Morning Brew, carved her path through passion and persistence. “I started small, volunteering, learning, and consistently showing up. Over time, my voice found its place, and so did I,” she says. For her, being a woman in prime time is deeply personal. “It’s about representation and breaking barriers. It’s reminding young women that they belong in powerful spaces too.”
She uses her platform to drive real conversations. “We talk about mental health, identity, relationships, social justice — the things students are actually dealing with,” she explains. Her goal? “To inform, uplift and remind the SMU community of its power.”
Rose Moreki, who commands the mic on both The Soulful Lounge and SMU Sports, came into radio with a love for storytelling and sports. “When I left Ga-Rankuwa FM, I wanted to be part of another great station that holds its listeners at heart,” she says.
To Moreki, hosting prime-time shows isn’t just about airtime; it’s about reshaping what leadership sounds like. “I don’t just report scores, I explore themes like youth development, gender equality in sport, and community wellness.”
Through her soulful segment, she brings healing and pride to the airwaves. “My voice becomes a connector between lived experience and shared growth.” In both shows, Moreki is driven by a sense of service. “Leadership is about preparing when no one sees you, showing up when it’s hard, and creating opportunities for others. You don’t need permission to lead.”
Thandi Caroline Sebola, host of The Ultimate Drive, entered radio with what she calls divine timing. “Purpose, purpose, purpose! That’s how I found myself behind the mic,” she says. For her, the microphone is not just a tool — it’s a chariot. “I use it to unpack campus issues, celebrate youth wins, and spotlight mental health. I make space for truth, even when it’s uncomfortable.”
Her leadership is grounded in faith and authenticity. “It’s not about position, it’s about presence,” she shares. “I want young women to know they don’t need to shrink to fit. The media needs their voice. Leadership looks like them.”
Together, Ledwaba, Moreki, and Sebola represent more than SMU FM’s prime-time line-up. They are the sound of a university shaping leaders who think critically, speak boldly, and serve their communities.
At SMU, the airwaves are a platform that amplifies not only music and news but the future voices of African leadership. And here, in prime time, women lead.
By Dimakatso Modise
by Lorato | Jan 15, 2026 | All News, Alumni, SMU Media, Student Media
In the evolving world of healthcare education, few stories capture both global leadership and local impact as powerfully as that of Khomotso Paulina Motiang, a Lecturer in the Department of Radiography at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU). From global forums to SMU lecture halls, Motiang is redefining what it means to lead in radiography, using her platform to inspire change, develop young professionals, and advance MRI education in South Africa and beyond.
With a clinical career spanning public and private sectors, international experience, and more than five years in academia, her greatest influence is now felt in academia, where she nurtures future radiographers to lead with both skill and compassion. “We must remain human while striving for excellence,” she reflects, a principle that shapes every dimension of her work.
In 2024, Motiang’s commitment to transformation was recognised when she was awarded the International Society of Magnetic Resonance Radiographers and Technologists (ISMRT) Future Leaders Fellowship, an initiative developed in partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. This prestigious global fellowship positions her at the forefront of MRI education advancement in underserved regions. For South Africa’s radiography community, it is a milestone: Motiang is not only representing the country on global platforms but bringing global innovation back home.
Through the Fellowship, she is establishing the ISMRT South African Division, creating a national knowledge-sharing hub for MRI safety and best practice. “This Fellowship is not just personal, it’s a resource for the profession and a tool to empower others,” Motiang says.
At SMU, her teaching philosophy is equally progressive. She champions interprofessional education and collaborative practice (IPECP), believing that modern radiographers must operate beyond their specialisation and work as collaborative healthcare leaders. Her supervision of undergraduate research projects in forensic imaging and AI in diagnostics demonstrates her commitment to producing forward-thinking graduates ready for global healthcare environments.
Her leadership extends to national structures: from 2025 to 2029, she will serve as the Gauteng Provincial Representative for the Society of Radiographers of South Africa (SORSA), shaping national policy and professional development. Internationally, she continues to advocate for MRI safety and education through her Fellowship, and as a Fellow of the ISMRT.
Yet, Motiang’s leadership philosophy remains rooted in human connection. Beyond accolades and fellowships, she quietly donates food parcels to students in need and mentors first-generation university entrants. “Support doesn’t always come from policy. Sometimes it comes from people choosing to care.”
Her work embodies SMU’s vision: health sciences education that is both locally relevant and globally competitive. As a reviewer for the African Journal of Health Professions Education, Motiang advocates for African research that reflects the continent’s realities while contributing to global knowledge. From global MRI forums to the students she mentors daily, Motiang is a leader of substance, one who proves that advancing healthcare is not just about technology and systems, but about people, compassion, and vision.
A global voice and a local heart, she is redefining radiography leadership for South Africa and for the world.
By Tumelo Moila
by Lorato | Jan 15, 2026 | All News, SMU Media, Student Media
In a field often dominated by complex statistics and siloed disciplines, Professor Kebogile Mokwena, South Africa’s first National Research Foundation (NRF) Research Chair at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU), has emerged as a leading force reshaping the nation’s public health response to mental illness and substance abuse. With more than 120 postgraduate students supervised across multiple health disciplines, Mokwena’s work is not only academically rigorous but deeply grounded in the real-world challenges facing South African communities.
Her passion for public health and population mental health research was ignited early in her career. “I was always inspired to serve and work with people,” she says. After obtaining her doctorate in Public Health Education from the University of South Carolina, with specialisations in curriculum development and health promotion, Mokwena found her research calling in tackling the emergence of nyaope—a highly addictive street drug devastating communities across the country.
Since then, she has become one of the country’s foremost researchers on substance abuse and mental health, forming collaborations with institutions such as the University of Cape Town, Walter Sisulu University, the University of Johannesburg, and the South African Medical Research Council. Her studies estimate the burden of depression and anxiety among underserved populations, confirming a high prevalence of undiagnosed conditions often linked to broader societal issues, including crime and substance use.
Her appointment as SMU’s first NRF Research Chair has allowed her to expand her research portfolio while strengthening collaborations within and beyond the university. “I had to jump several hurdles before I was awarded the grant,” she recalls. “But the role has enabled me to plan long-term, mentor others, and broaden the institution’s research footprint.”
Mokwena’s academic influence spans disciplines and schools. She has supervised students in pharmacy, physiotherapy, nursing, and medicine, covering fields as varied as surgery, paediatrics, and obstetrics. She embraces interdisciplinary supervision, often initiating partnerships when public health questions intersect with clinical concerns. “All involved learn something new,” she notes.
Beyond academia, she serves on several boards and advisory committees, including the Vista Psychiatric Hospital Board, the Gauteng Substance Abuse Forum, and the SANCA Advisory Committee. These roles keep her connected to the practical implications of her research, informing policy and service delivery at multiple levels.
Despite facing gender-based assumptions in academia, Mokwena has remained steadfast. “People sometimes don’t expect to see a woman in my position,” she admits. “But I’ve learned to let my work speak for itself.”
Her advice to young women aspiring to make an impact in public health is bold: “Be brave enough to ask difficult questions. Be authentic. Work hard and enjoy what you do.”
Reflecting on her legacy, Mokwena hopes to be remembered not only for pioneering research but for advancing solutions that serve society: “My research lives in communities, churches, schools, and prisons. That is the impact I want to leave behind.”
By Tumelo Moila
by Lorato | Jan 11, 2026 | All News, Alumni, SMU Media, Student Media
Dr Ramokone Maphoto, Senior Pathologist in Virology at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) and the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS), stands as a key figure in South Africa’s ongoing battle against HIV/AIDS. With a career built on scientific excellence and a commitment to public health, Maphoto is making significant contributions to diagnostics, research, and community empowerment.
Based within SMU’s Department of Virology, Maphoto’s work spans cutting-edge laboratory science and practical healthcare solutions. She currently leads the Clinical Virology Research Unit, a newly established facility dedicated to advancing the understanding of viral infections. The unit’s mandate focuses on diagnostics, treatment, prevention, and innovative research that integrates laboratory findings with clinical application.
“Science is not only about discovery but about making a real impact on people’s lives,” says Maphoto. “At SMU, we’re uniquely positioned to bridge laboratory research and frontline healthcare, especially in addressing HIV/AIDS challenges.”
Her role also extends to academic leadership as an active member of the Departmental Research Committee, where she serves as Deputy Chair on rotation. This involvement allows her to influence the strategic direction of virology research and foster collaboration among researchers and clinicians.
SMU’s Virology Department plays a critical role in South Africa’s health system, providing essential HIV testing and treatment monitoring services to vulnerable communities. Under Maphoto’s guidance, the laboratory operates around the clock, utilising advanced automated HIV testing technologies to increase capacity and deliver timely, accurate results.
“Timely viral load testing is essential for managing treatment effectively,” explains Maphoto. “It helps detect treatment failure early, ensuring patients receive appropriate care to suppress the virus and reduce transmission.”
Beyond the lab, Maphoto is passionate about education and capacity building. She mentors and trains medical registrars, honours, and master’s students, nurturing the next generation of virologists who will continue to strengthen South Africa’s HIV response.
However, Maphoto recognises that the fight against HIV/AIDS is about more than medicine and technology. Stigma remains a significant barrier to care, and she is dedicated to community outreach and education initiatives that challenge misconceptions and encourage people to seek testing and treatment.
“Breaking down stigma is critical,” she asserts. “Education empowers people to make informed decisions and access the healthcare they need without fear or shame.”
Maphoto’s work exemplifies the integration of scientific innovation, public health commitment, and compassionate leadership. Her efforts not only enhance diagnostic services but also shape policy and practice, supporting South Africa’s goal of ending the HIV epidemic.
“At SMU, we believe in health equity as a responsibility,” she says. “I’m proud to contribute to this mission by advancing research and ensuring every patient’s right to quality care is respected.”
In a country grappling with the world’s largest HIV epidemic, access to reliable testing and treatment is more critical than ever. At the heart of this fight is SMU, where science, research, and compassion converge to tackle the HIV/AIDS crisis head-on.
By Dimakatso Modise
by Lorato | Jan 11, 2026 | All News, SMU Media, Student Media
Not many people can claim “doctor,” “pastor,” “entrepreneur,” and “philanthropist” on the same curriculum vitae—let alone before the age of 30. But for Dr Andile Molokomme, a Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) alumna, these roles aren’t separate; they’re woven into one mission: to lead with purpose and impact lives.
Now 29, Molokomme is the founder of Dr Andie Family Practice in Pretoria North, a primary care clinic that’s redefining community health. “It’s not just about treatment, it’s about early screening, patient education, and empowering people to take charge of their health,” she explains.
But that’s only part of the story. With a passion for wellness that goes beyond the stethoscope, she launched AndiBeauty—a cosmetics brand rooted in empowerment. That vision has since evolved into the AndiBeauty Spa, which now offers medical aesthetic services led by Molokomme herself. She recently completed her Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Medical Aesthetics at FPD—graduating Cum Laude. “I didn’t want to create another beauty brand,” she says. “I wanted to build something that inspires confidence and blends inner health with outer care.”
Whether behind a clinic desk or in front of a camera, Molokomme commands her platforms with clarity and compassion. As the host of Medical Insights on LoveWorld SAT, and a regular voice on Power FM, Thobela FM, and Ga-Rankuwa FM, she’s bringing health literacy to the mainstream. “If people don’t understand their health, they can’t manage it. That’s why communication matters.”
Still, for all her titles and accolades, her proudest work is what she’s done for the next generation. At just 17, she founded the Phenomenal Young Persons NPO (181-231)—long before earning her medical degree, developing business plans, or making broadcast appearances. “Before I was a doctor or entrepreneur, I was a philanthropist,” she says.
The organisation has since reached over 45,000 young people across 10 institutions, offering mentorship, academic awards, and entrepreneurship training. In May 2025, she took 130 learners from her former school, Lethabong Secondary, to the SMU Open Day. “Exposure breeds aspiration,” she insists. “When you show kids what’s possible, they begin to believe they belong in those spaces.”
The NPO is now preparing to launch an online entrepreneurship course and expand across five African countries. At the same time, Molokomme is building AndiBeauty Spa into a leading wellness brand, combining aesthetics with purpose. “Right now, I’m growing the clinic, scaling the spa, mentoring students, and building a digital education platform,” she says. “Leadership is not about being busy—it’s about being impactful. I wake up every day to live that mission.” As an SMU alumna, Molokomme embodies the university’s mission to produce graduates who lead with purpose and redefine healthcare and wellness on the continent.
By Dimakatso Modise
by Lorato | Jan 11, 2026 | All News, SMU Media, Student Media
At Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU), the future of security doesn’t rest solely in patrols and gates; it’s being quietly redefined by women like Patience Mabunda, who are transforming campus safety from within its systems. As an Administrative Officer in the Department of Security Services, Mabunda is at the forefront of modernising the operations that keep the university safe, efficient, and inclusive, one upgrade at a time.
Mabunda joined SMU in 2021, bringing with her over a decade of experience in administration from the Department of Justice, South African Weather Services, and the Department of Labour. Now in her fourth year at the university, she supports one of the institution’s most vital components: campus security.
Her duties span the full spectrum of administrative coordination. “I handle procurement, manage access control, and oversee biometric enrolments for students, staff, and contractors,” she explains. “I also ensure that both in-house and outsourced security teams are properly deployed, all through compliant supply chain processes.”
Mabunda’s journey into the university environment began during her experiential learning at varsity. “That exposure helped me realise how dynamic and fulfilling a university setting can be. It pushed me to continue learning and to enrol in an LLB, which I’m currently pursuing in my third year,” she says. She believes her legal studies complement her security role and will further strengthen her professional capabilities.
Among her proudest contributions to SMU is the creation of a weekly activity reporting system. Initially developed in Excel, the tool tracked progress in operations, investigations, and administration. “It was later converted into an online document by the technical team, and it’s now a central part of how we work. It has improved transparency, efficiency, and accountability,” she notes.
Each day at SMU begins with structure and intention. “I live by the motto: ‘People who plan their days get most of their work done.’ It helps me manage multiple demands without becoming overwhelmed.”
Her efforts are especially vital in a 24-hour operation like campus security. “Working under pressure is normal here, but our management team is responsive and solutions-focused. When issues arise, they’re addressed quickly because we function as a unit,” she says.
Mabunda has witnessed major strides in modernising security on campus. “We’ve moved from outdated access cards to biometric and facial recognition systems. It’s exciting to be part of that transformation.” Passionate about women’s empowerment and mental health, she sees her work as a platform for broader impact.
Her message to the SMU community is simple but powerful: “Success begins when you commit to excellence.” Looking ahead, she hopes to contribute even more to SMU’s progress: “I want to keep modernising our systems, transforming security, one solution at a time.”
At SMU, operational excellence is no longer gendered; women like Mabunda are leading critical support functions, proving that transformation reaches every part of the institution.
By Tumelo Moila
