by Lorato | Feb 19, 2026 | All News, SMU Media, Student Media
In the quiet town of Mookgophong—known to many as Naboomspruit in Limpopo—a young boy once stood beside two remarkable women selling fried fish and second-hand clothes to survive. Today, that same boy is a respected mathematics educator, entrepreneur, and proud alumnus of Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU), transforming the academic trajectories of thousands of learners across South Africa.
Thapelo Rafapa’s story is one of resilience, redemption, and divine purpose. Raised by his grandmother and her sister, Rafapa grew up witnessing unwavering determination. “My grandmothers were my first example of strength,” he reflects. “They never allowed circumstances to define them. Watching them work tirelessly planted something in me—a refusal to quit.”
Yet adolescence tested that foundation. Like many young boys navigating identity and peer pressure, he drifted into destructive habits—smoking, drinking, and stealing from the very home businesses that sustained his family. His wake-up call came in Grade 10 when he received a zero for a Pure Mathematics assessment. “That zero was more than a mark,” Rafapa says. “It was a mirror. It forced me to confront who I was becoming.”
A pivotal friendship with top-performing learner Jerry Thoka became the turning point. Inspired by Thoka’s discipline, Rafapa recalibrated his focus. By the end of the year, he ranked second in Mathematics. Together, the two friends held extra classes for classmates and committed to late-night study sessions. That same year, Rafapa gave his life to Christ—a decision that grounded his academic and personal transformation.
After matric, financial barriers threatened to derail their ambitions. Though accepted into universities including Wits, registration fees were unaffordable. Determined not to remain idle, they enrolled in an engineering N-course in Witbank, enduring nights sleeping at a police station and long walks to classes—only to discover the college was unregistered. “It felt like everything was collapsing,” Rafapa recalls. “But we refused to surrender.”
Hope arrived three weeks later. SMU—then widely known as Medunsa—offered them places in a BSc programme, but registration required R5 000. In an extraordinary turn of events, strangers stepped in. A doctor from Cape Town sponsored Thoka, while Dr. Mathosa, an SMU graduate from Rafapa’s township, offered to fund his studies. “I still call him my angel in human form,” Rafapa says. “He didn’t just pay fees. He restored my dignity.”
In 2015, Rafapa registered for a BSc in Mathematical Sciences at SMU, majoring in Mathematics and Applied Mathematics. Although his late uncle had dreamed of him studying Medicine, Rafapa knew his calling lay elsewhere. “At SMU, I wasn’t becoming a doctor,” he says with conviction. “I was becoming what I had always envisioned—a mathematician with purpose.”
University life birthed more than academic success. During his first year, Rafapa started a small prayer group that evolved into a thriving campus ministry. It was there that he met Tshidi, who would later become his wife. “SMU gave me more than a qualification,” Rafapa shares. “It gave me my life partner and a spiritual family.”
The journey was not without struggle. He repeated his third year and worked tirelessly as a tutor to support his unemployed mother. Travelling to learners’ homes after lectures, Rafapa earned income while nurturing what would become his life’s mission—unlocking mathematical potential.
After graduating, Rafapa joined Seriously Addictive Mathematics (S.A.M), a Singapore-originated programme developing foundational skills in young learners. Within a year, he was promoted to Centre Manager. But his vision extended further. In 2019, Rafapa formally registered the School of Mathematics Extra Lessons. By 2020, he had been recruited by Curro Academy in Soshanguve, where he was promoted to Subject Head of Mathematics within six months.
Research revealed a sobering truth: South Africa was the first country to introduce Mathematical Literacy as an alternative due to widespread struggles with Mathematics. For Rafapa, this was a call to action. “Too many dreams die at the hands of Mathematics,” he says. “If we change how we teach and support learners, we change the nation’s future.”
Partnering with Tsietsi Joseph Mojapelo, he co-founded SOMELPSA Tutoring Academy in Pretoria North. The academy expanded rapidly, offering multiple subjects from Grade R to Grade 12. In 2023, a Sandton branch launched under the leadership of Thoka—bringing their journey full circle.
Today, SOMELPSA employs 27 staff members and has impacted thousands of learners nationwide. One former student became the top-performing learner among Curro DBE schools, later graduating in Actuarial Science from UCT and securing a position at Deloitte.
“When my students succeed, it feels like my grandmothers’ prayers are still being answered,” he reflects.
In honour of Dr Nchaupe Pontius Mathosa, Rafapa now sponsors three high school learners, covering uniforms, books, and mentorship. SOMELPSA also provides free extra lessons to learners whose families cannot afford tutoring.
As a proud SMU alumnus, Rafapa carries forward the legacy of compassion and excellence that once carried him. His message to young people is simple yet profound: “If we join hands together, we have it within ourselves to change our nation.”
By Dimakatso Modise
by Lorato | Feb 5, 2026 | All News, SMU Media, Student Media
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) launched its 2026 academic year with a high-energy, purpose-driven Orientation Programme for first-time entering (FTEN) students, signalling not just the start of university life, but the beginning of a demanding and transformative journey in the health sciences.
Held over five days, the programme was designed to do one thing exceptionally well: equip new students to succeed. From the moment students arrived on campus, the message was clear — orientation was not optional window dressing, but a strategic foundation for academic focus, belonging and resilience.
Welcoming students, the Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Tandi Matsha-Erasmus, described the moment as both significant and symbolic. “SMU was established with a clear mandate: to educate future health sciences professionals who will serve society with excellence, integrity and compassion,” she said. “By joining this institution, you formally become part of that mission.”
The programme combined institutional clarity with emotional resonance. An academic procession, performances by the SMU Choir, and a candlelight Vision Walk reinforced a shared sense of purpose, while practical sessions tackled the realities of university life head-on.
Orientation activities were structured to address students’ most pressing challenges — understanding academic expectations, accessing support services, navigating campus systems and building social confidence. According to Tulani Nkuntse, Director: Student Affairs, orientation was intentionally designed to remove uncertainty early. “If students know where to go, who to ask and what is expected, they start stronger and stay focused,” he noted.
Key programme highlights included residence day, focused on settling in, safety, and community-building; academic welcome, featuring messages from senior leadership and the SRC; vision walk and affirmation ceremony, anchoring personal purpose; school-based orientations, introducing academic cultures and expectations; teaching and learning sessions, covering advising, tutoring, mentoring and e-learning; campus tours and student affairs market, turning information into experience
Student leadership played a central role. SRC President Mthokozisi Dlamini addressed new students directly, reinforcing a message of belonging and earned opportunity. “Your presence here is not by chance,” he said. “You earned it, you deserve it, and you belong here.”
For many students, the impact was immediate. Brendon Ntlatlane Mabuse, a first-year Mathematical Sciences student, reflected on how orientation reshaped his confidence. “Orientation helped us overcome the fear of socialising and learn how to navigate campus independently. It also helped bridge cultural differences and made us feel included.”
Similarly, Buyile Mkhwanazi, a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) first-year student, highlighted the balance between guidance and motivation. “The programme showed us the level of support the institution provides, while also giving us direction and space to connect.”
The week concluded with campus-wide activities, sport and celebration, including a Super Cup final that drew students together beyond lecture halls and residences. Yet beneath the excitement ran a consistent theme: SMU expects excellence — and provides the structure to achieve it.
As the 2026 cohort steps fully into the academic year, the Orientation Programme served its purpose decisively. It replaced uncertainty with clarity, isolation with community, and anticipation with resolve. This was not just a welcome. It was a statement of intent.
By Tumelo Moila
by Lorato | Jan 21, 2026 | All News, SMU Media, Student Media
At Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU), every young woman in a lab coat or scrubs carries more than textbooks and ambition; she carries legacy in the making. From lecture halls to clinical spaces, young women at SMU are building futures that will shape healthcare across South Africa and the continent. Each has a reason for choosing this path, a role model who inspired her, and a vision for the professional—and the woman—she is becoming.
Together, they are more than students. They are future doctors, scientists, and healthcare leaders. Each one: a name worth remembering.
SMU, as South Africa’s leading dedicated health sciences university, is where these women step onto a path of purpose. Here, education is more than lectures; it is a commitment to community, to excellence, and to producing healthcare professionals who will shape the systems of tomorrow.
For Mbali Ndamase, a second-year Bachelor of Science in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology student, her calling began with the simplest human need: communication. “I’ve seen how communication and hearing disorders can isolate people,” she says. “At SMU, I’m being shaped into a healthcare professional who not only treats but empowers people to reconnect with the world.”
Bonolo Malema, a third-year Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery student, describes her journey into medicine as both a personal mission and a shared responsibility. “Becoming a doctor isn’t about the title—it’s about healing, about making people’s lives better. SMU gives me the skills, but also the sisterhood and the inspiration to believe I can make a difference.”
Bonolo believes SMU’s women are rewriting the future of medicine. “Here, we’re not just learning how to treat illnesses, we’re learning how to lead.”
Tsakane Pearl Nghonyama, a third-year BSc Mathematical Sciences student, is proof that healthcare’s future depends not only on clinicians but also on data scientists. “At SMU, I don’t have to choose between logic and compassion. I’m training to be both a Data Analyst and a Paediatrician. One saves lives now; the other shapes the systems that will save lives tomorrow.”
Their stories and ambitions reflect SMU’s mission to educate and empower African women who will lead health innovation, drive community care, and transform systems that for too long have left women’s voices unheard. “We are part of a sisterhood here,” says Bonolo. “A sisterhood that believes in service, in leadership, and in changing lives.”
At SMU, these young women’s stories begin—but their impact will be felt far beyond its gates. They are not just studying for degrees. They are preparing for legacies built on service, strength, and the unstoppable power of a woman’s voice in African healthcare. Mark their names. Their futures are just beginning.
By Dimakatso Modise
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 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
