by Lorato | Sep 23, 2025 | All News, SMU Media, Student Media
Dr Ntsieni Teresia Dzhugudzha is not only a lecturer and researcher—she is a barrier breaker. Her academic journey tells a story of resilience, purpose, and groundbreaking research in occupational therapy that is already shaping the future of inclusive education and employment in South Africa.
In 2025, she completed her PhD at the University of Pretoria, producing a conceptual framework designed to help learners with mild intellectual disability (MID) transition from school into meaningful work. The framework, created for use by occupational therapists, teachers, and employers, promotes strength-based, individualised approaches to employability and advocates for equitable opportunities in the labour market.
Her doctoral journey, which began in 2019, was not without challenges. She faced delayed site access, employers reluctant to participate, and personal health setbacks that cost her nearly a year. Yet she persevered with determination. “I recognise that success for women in academia often comes with considerable obstacles,” she reflects. “But I learned patience, resilience, and problem-solving along the way.”
Her decision to pursue this research stemmed from concern about the limited employment opportunities available to learners with intellectual disabilities. In South Africa, many young people leave Learners with Special Educational Needs (LSEN) schools between the ages of 18 and 21, only to face unemployment at home. Determined to change this reality, she set out to design practical, inclusive solutions that could transform how society prepares these learners for the workplace.
Her academic promise showed early. Born in the rural village of Mashamba Mukondeni in Venda, she excelled in mathematics at Tshikhuthula Secondary School. After matriculating, she entered MEDUNSA (now SMU) with hopes of studying Medicine through the BSc (Special) programme. When she was not admitted into Medicine, she chose Occupational Therapy, a path that revealed itself as her true calling. Between 2003 and 2006, she completed her Bachelor of Occupational Therapy with merit awards and soon after entered clinical practice. For nearly a decade, she worked across health facilities, earning recognition such as the Best Allied Health Professional Award at Odi District Hospital in 2014.
Alongside her practice, she pursued further studies and, in 2015, completed a master’s in public health at SMU under the mentorship of Professor Simphiwe Madiba. This experience cemented her passion for research. Her transition into academia began naturally while working at Weskoppies Hospital, where she supervised occupational therapy students from both SMU and the University of Pretoria. Discovering her love for teaching, she joined SMU’s Department of Occupational Therapy in 2017 as a Lecturer. Since then, she has taught across undergraduate levels, supervised postgraduate research, contributed to committees on community engagement and research, and served as an external examiner for universities across the country.
Balancing her academic and personal life has been one of her proudest achievements. A wife and mother of three daughters, she completed her master’s degree while pregnant with twins and working full-time. Her ability to balance teaching, research, and family responsibilities speaks to her determination. In 2025, she published two journal articles from her PhD and presented her findings at national conferences, extending her influence into scholarly and policy spaces.
She credits SMU for providing crucial support during her doctoral journey, including funding, study leave, writing retreats, and research grants. “The institution created the environment I needed to thrive,” she says with gratitude. Looking ahead, she envisions her PhD as the foundation for greater societal impact. She aspires to influence policy, mentor future occupational therapists, and advocate tirelessly for inclusive employment practices.
Her message to aspiring SMU students is inspiring: “A PhD is achievable, but it requires discipline, patience, and resilience. Write consistently, even a paragraph a day. The journey is about growth and impact, not just the qualification.”
For Dzhugudzha, completing her PhD represents more than the culmination of years of effort. It marks the beginning of a broader mission: breaking barriers, transforming lives, and paving the way for inclusive opportunities in education and employment.
By Dimakatso Modise
by Lorato | Sep 23, 2025 | All News, SMU Media, Student Media
The open-air shelter at Theresa Park Secondary School was buzzing with excitement as Grade 10 learners stepped into a world beyond textbooks. On this sunny day, the Clinical Pharmacy Department at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) transformed the space into a lively science hub, sparking curiosity about careers in Pharmacy and showing students that the field reaches far beyond pills and prescriptions.
Theresa Park Secondary is a young school—just two years old—but it is already making strides in Mathematics and Science. The visit from SMU gave learners more than information; it gave them a vision. Instead of passively listening, they engaged, asked questions, and began to picture themselves as future healthcare professionals.
Leading the session was Justice Luvhimbi, a PhD candidate in SMU’s School of Pharmacy. With energy and conviction, he told learners: “Pharmacy is about more than medicines—it’s about research, problem-solving, and improving lives. The choices you make today will shape the opportunities you can seize tomorrow. Stay curious, work hard, and believe in your potential.” His message was clear: success is built on focus and determination.
The interactive format kept the learners on their toes. Presenters introduced them to Pharmacy’s many branches—hospital and community practice, pharmaceutical research, regulatory affairs, and academia—painting a picture of a career rich with possibilities. The outdoor setting encouraged honest conversations as students asked about study requirements, real-world applications, and the difference pharmacists make in communities.
For the school, this was more than a career talk; it was a milestone. Deputy Principal Judith Nketlepe Maduwe praised the initiative: “Career guidance is essential for our learners. SMU’s visit informs and inspires. It shows our students what is possible when ambition meets education and motivates them to aim high in their studies and their future.”
The learners’ enthusiasm told its own story. Grade 10 student Shalomiele Middleton left with a new perspective: “I now see that Pharmacy is about helping people, doing research, and even teaching. This session has motivated me to work harder in Maths and Science so I can achieve my dreams.”
The outreach reflects SMU’s broader mission: to connect universities with communities and spark ambition in the next generation of scientists and healthcare professionals. By stepping into schools, SMU creates real-world opportunities for learners to see, ask, and dream. These interactions bridge the gap between classroom theory and professional practice, inspiring students to shape futures in health sciences.
For Theresa Park Secondary, hosting SMU’s Pharmacy team underscored its commitment to holistic education. Though still young, the school is laying solid foundations by exposing its learners to meaningful career pathways. For the learners, the day was a glimpse of possibility: a reminder that dedication to Maths and Science today can shape the healthcare solutions of tomorrow.
Through initiatives like this, SMU proves that education is not confined to lecture halls. By blending culture, curiosity, and community engagement, the university is nurturing future pharmacists and scientists who are not only knowledgeable but motivated to make a lasting impact on society.
By Dimakatso Modise
by Lorato | Sep 15, 2025 | All News, Alumni, SMU Media, Student Media
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) marked a proud academic milestone on Friday, 12 September, as 110 students graduated at a ceremony held at its Sports Complex. The event not only celebrated individual achievement but also highlighted the University’s growing contribution to health sciences education in South Africa.
Among the undergraduates, nine students (8%) had entered the University through the Extended Curriculum Programme (ECP), underlining SMU’s commitment to widening access to higher education. One student also graduated cum laude, underscoring the high academic standards at the institution.
The recently appointed SMU Chancellor, Dr Penny Moumakwa, formally conferred degrees to the graduates at SMU’s Spring Graduation Ceremony, marking her first official act in this prestigious role. Her presence added gravitas to the event as she personally recognised the achievements of the graduates across disciplines, including dentistry, health care sciences, medicine, pharmacy, and science and technology.
The results reflect the University’s strength across disciplines:
- School of Dentistry – 3 undergraduates, 5 Master’s (8 total)
- School of Health Care Sciences – 16 Master’s, 2 Doctorates (18 total)
- School of Medicine – 10 undergraduates, 1 Honours, 33 Master’s, 2 Doctorates (46 total)
- School of Pharmacy – 2 undergraduates, 9 Master’s (11 total)
- School of Science & Technology – 14 undergraduates, 8 Honours, 3 Master’s, 2 Doctorates (27 total)
The figures reveal a strong postgraduate output, with Master’s graduates forming the largest group. This reflects SMU’s dual focus on preparing practitioners and building research capacity and academic leadership.
Graduates shared moving reflections on their journeys. Lehlogonolo Mokaba, who graduated Master of Science (Mathematics) cum laude with a dissertation titled Self-adaptive technique with two-step inertia for monotone variational inclusion problem in real Hilbert space, reflected: “Resilience, faith, and countless hours of dedication carried me through. Hard work, when guided by passion, always bears fruit.”
Ayomide Adeyemi Abe, who earned a PhD in Medical Physics with a thesis titled Detection, staging and classification of lung cancer using deep learning, described his journey as both personal and global: “I arrived with nothing but faith. There were challenges, but I believed, and step by step, everything became clear. I dedicate this PhD to my late uncle, my family in Nigeria, and my supervisors. My advice: believe in yourself – everything is possible.”
Acting Vice-Chancellor for the ceremony, Professor Dini Mawela, applauded the graduates’ determination: “These young professionals will go on to change lives. Their success reflects both personal perseverance and the University’s unwavering commitment to excellence.” She highlighted broader 2025 milestones, including 1,403 graduates this academic year—1,293 during May—and SMU’s first honorary doctorate, awarded to Professor Ngoepe for his four decades of contribution to Physics.
The Spring Graduation marked more than numbers. It underscored SMU’s mission to produce highly skilled professionals in dentistry, health care sciences, medicine, pharmacy, and science and technology fields where South Africa urgently needs expertise.
For the graduates, the day represented years of resilience, long nights of study, and perseverance. For South Africa, it symbolised a stronger workforce equipped to improve healthcare systems, advance scientific knowledge, and tackle pressing national challenges.
As applause filled the Sports Complex, the significance stretched far beyond the hall. The true celebration lies ahead—in the hospitals, laboratories, and communities where these graduates will make their mark.
SMU’s Spring Graduation 2025 is proof once more that SMU does not just produce graduates. It shapes leaders, innovators, and changemakers.
By Tumelo Moila
by Lorato | Aug 27, 2025 | All News, SMU Media, Student Media
In the quiet streets of Tzaneen, a small town in Limpopo, a young boy once watched patients wait for hours at clinics with too few doctors. It was here, amidst the struggles of rural healthcare, that Raymond Mabulana discovered his calling. Today, as a fifth-year medical student at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU), Mabulana is transforming that early inspiration into a mission: to improve healthcare access and outcomes for underserved communities.
Growing up in an area with limited medical services, Mabulana witnessed first-hand the consequences of inadequate healthcare. These experiences shaped both his character and career ambitions, instilling resilience, compassion and a deep sense of responsibility. “From a young age, I knew I wanted to become a doctor—not just to treat illness, but to improve access to quality care for communities like mine,” he recalls.
His journey from public schools in resource-limited settings to SMU is a story of determination and perseverance. SMU’s focus on community-oriented healthcare has provided the ideal environment to nurture his vision. Here, Mabulana has combined academic excellence with practical experience, preparing to make a meaningful difference in society.
Mabulana’s commitment to medicine extends well beyond the classroom. He actively participated in data collection at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital for the Femur Study, a global cohort study on femur fracture management. In addition, he co-founded the Diagnostic Society, an internal medicine society aimed at promoting early clinical exposure and fostering interest in internal medicine. As Research Coordinator, he facilitates student involvement in faculty-led research projects, helping his peers develop academic curiosity and the skills required for modern healthcare.
The support he has received has also been instrumental. Receiving a bursary from Gift of the Givers, in partnership with Bonitas, has been both humbling and empowering. “Their support is not just financial—it is a vote of confidence in my potential and the work I aspire to do. It reinforces my determination to complete my studies and become a compassionate, capable medical professional,” he explains. This opportunity has strengthened his commitment to serve others and ensured that the impact of this generosity extends far beyond himself.
Mabulana’s ambitions extend well beyond personal achievement; he is determined to return to rural and underserved communities as a source of inspiration and care. “I want young people from similar backgrounds to know that their dreams are valid and achievable. Through surgery, research and community outreach, I hope to contribute to building a more equitable healthcare system and be part of a generation of doctors who do not merely treat illness but transform lives,” he says.
His journey is a testament to the power of passion, perseverance and community-focused education. It shows how an individual, supported by institutions and organisations that believe in talent, can aspire to make a lasting impact. From the small town of Tzaneen to the halls of SMU, Mabulana is proof that dedication, vision and heart can transform not just one life, but the lives of countless others in communities that need it most.
As he progresses towards his goal of becoming a doctor, researcher and advocate for equitable healthcare, Mabulana exemplifies the potential of young South Africans to drive meaningful change. His story inspires not only his peers at SMU but also a wider audience, demonstrating that access to education, coupled with determination, can empower individuals to overcome challenges and shape the future of healthcare in the country.
By Dimakatso Modise
by Lorato | Aug 27, 2025 | All News, Alumni, SMU Media, Student Media
Growing up in the rural town of Lephalale, Limpopo, Lucas Matabologa’s childhood was filled with football matches that only ended at sunset. He recalls being the “water-boy” whenever a teammate got injured, instinctively offering water as the only “medicine” available. What seemed like a simple childhood routine planted the early seeds of a lifelong passion for sport and rehabilitation.
That passion crystallised years later when, while watching a television soap opera, Matabologa saw a character who had suffered a stroke recover through physiotherapy. “That was my light bulb moment,” he recalls. “I realised the impact physiotherapy could have on people’s lives, and I vowed it would be my career.”
His determination carried him to Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU), where he graduated with a BSc in Physiotherapy in 2020. His hard work was recognised with the Best in Neurology Award in his final year, a milestone he describes as one of his proudest achievements. “It felt like I had taken the first step towards becoming the kind of physiotherapist I dreamt of when I saw that soapie character,” he reflects.
Matabologa’s interest in neurological rehabilitation is deeply personal, shaped by witnessing family members struggle with the aftermath of strokes. At the same time, his love of sport has driven him towards sports physiotherapy. Today, he is fortunate to work in both areas through Stepmed Physiotherapy in Nelspruit, where he continues to refine his skills. Among his most memorable cases is a patient who survived a severe brain injury and, through dedicated rehabilitation, progressed from intensive care to running marathons.
Central to Matabologa’s practice is his belief that “exercise is medicine”. He ensures that every patient under his care engages in evidence-based exercise, not just as a treatment, but also as a preventive strategy against injury and disease. “All my patients know that when they see me, they are about to exercise,” he jokes.
In 2021, during his community service year, he launched the “Healthy Body, Healthy Mind” exercise programme to help Pretoria West Hospital staff stay active during the COVID-19 pandemic. The initiative boosted morale, improved physical well-being and reduced absenteeism. It was later recognised as a finalist in the CPSI Innovation Awards (2022), further motivating Matabologa to continue promoting health innovation.
More recently, Matabologa has ventured into the world of adaptive sports, joining Wheelchair Basketball South Africa (WBSA) in early 2024. He calls it his “new baby”, drawn by the chance to expose patients to the sport and promote opportunities for people living with disabilities. Representing South Africa at international wheelchair basketball tournaments, including the first-ever 3X3 Wheelchair Basketball World Championship at Sun City, has been a career highlight. “It was a proud moment,” he says. “Sport has a unique power to unite people across countries and being part of that was unforgettable.”
Looking ahead, Matabologa envisions establishing a wheelchair basketball league in Mpumalanga while pursuing a master’s degree in neurology. He also hopes to influence national policy on exercise and health promotion, advocating for lifestyle-based prevention to ease the burden on South Africa’s healthcare system.
To young aspiring physiotherapists, his advice is simple yet profound: “Work hard, be patient with yourself, and never stop trying until doors open. Small steps can lead to big changes.”
By Tumelo Moila
