by Lorato | Jul 23, 2025 | All News, SMU Media, Student Media
In a heartwarming tale of perseverance and dedication, Dr Sagwadi Ngobeni, a cum laude graduate of Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University’s (SMU) Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) programme, has defied the odds of growing up in Maxavele Village in Giyani, Limpopo, a rural community with limited resources, to become a doctor. Her journey is a testament to SMU’s commitment to producing competent and compassionate healthcare professionals.
“In Grade 7, we had a career dress-up day. I wanted to be a doctor, but I didn’t have a white coat or a stethoscope. Still, nothing appealed to me like medicine did,” she recalls.
Graduating cum laude is a mark of both academic excellence and resilience. “It wasn’t easy, but every moment of hard work paid off. This achievement reminds me that I can accomplish anything I set my mind to,” she said.
Her study strategy was rooted in consistency and collaboration. “I studied from the start of each block. Group discussions helped me stay accountable and made learning easier. Even when I was exhausted, my peers pushed me to keep going.”
She found Internal Medicine both the most challenging and most rewarding of all her rotations. “Seeing very ill patients improve reminded me why I chose this path,” she shared.
Ngobeni credits SMU for shaping her into a well-rounded healthcare professional. “SMU became my second home. The strong sense of community made the academic journey bearable. Most importantly, I gained the confidence to assess and manage patients effectively, even in resource-limited settings.”
Beyond academics, SMU nurtured her emotional intelligence and empathy. “From patients, I learned kindness. From peers, I learned it’s okay to ask for help.”
As the first doctor in her family, her success has made a profound impact on her community. “My family is incredibly proud. In my village, not many young people make it to university. I hope my journey inspires others.”
She plans to pursue postgraduate studies and is considering a specialisation in Paediatrics. “Ironically, after my paediatrics exam in fifth year, I cried because I thought I had failed. But I passed with distinction. Now, it’s a field I’m seriously considering.”
Ngobeni also has a passion for community outreach and aims to raise awareness about preventable health conditions through traditional and social media platforms. She is equally dedicated to mentoring aspiring medical students.
Her advice to current students is both practical and profound: “Put in the work. Study smart, not just hard. Don’t leave things to the last minute. Use your support system. And most importantly, trust God’s timing.”
Ngobeni celebrated her graduation with a dinner alongside her proud family. Of all those who supported her, her mother stands out. “She once told me, ‘You’re going to get old either way – rather get old doing something you love.’ That advice changed my life.”
Her story is not only one of personal triumph but also a testament to SMU’s commitment to nurturing excellence in healthcare.
By Tumelo Moila
by Lorato | Jul 9, 2025 | All News, Alumni, SMU Media, Student Media
At Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU), leadership is more than a skill — it is a core value nurtured through rigorous clinical training, social accountability, and ethical governance. One shining example is Dr Siqiniseko Ntuli (36), who in January 2025 was appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Dannhauser Hospital in KwaZulu-Natal’s Amajuba District. His journey from rural KwaNongoma to the helm of a district hospital exemplifies SMU’s mission: to produce capable, compassionate leaders who transform systems and uplift communities. “It’s both exciting and terrifying,” Ntuli reflects. “Leading in these financially unstable times is a challenge, but it’s a calling I’m ready for — and one I approach with boldness.”
Raised in Ulundi in a humble home, Ntuli credits his father for instilling the belief that education could change not only his future but the fate of his community. “Even when the path seemed uncertain, I held on to that belief,” he recalls.
His path to leadership began at SMU, where he pursued medicine with a passion for clinical excellence. Although he didn’t initially set out to manage a hospital, his relentless pursuit of quality care and service excellence naturally positioned him for leadership. “I’ve always believed in doing my best. Leadership followed that commitment.”
After qualifying, he completed his internship within the Pietermaritzburg complex, gaining hands-on experience at Grey’s, Harry Gwala (formerly Edendale), and Northdale hospitals. It was here that his passion for district-level healthcare emerged. “Primary healthcare is the heartbeat of our system,” he says.
His community service at Ceza Hospital and later his post at Dannhauser Community Health Centre reinforced that passion. He eventually returned to Ceza Hospital as Medical Manager and Acting CEO, helping to stabilise operations in the face of major challenges. “We kept the hospital afloat and ensured that patients continued to receive quality care,” he says.
Now at the helm of Dannhauser Hospital, Ntuli is focused on improving access to healthcare, enhancing holistic services, and promoting preventative care. “We need to build a culture of health education and strengthen community participation. Health champions must emerge from within the communities we serve.”
Despite his executive role, Ntuli stays connected to the clinical side. Mornings are reserved for academic rounds and patient care, while evenings are dedicated to continuing education. “I never want to lose touch with medicine,” he says.
His leadership strategy is built on transparency, inclusive staffing, performance monitoring, and constant feedback. “We must create workspaces where individuals and teams thrive — that’s the foundation of quality service.”
Ntuli also emphasises the need for a culture shift. “Healthcare is more than a job — it’s a calling. We must cultivate passion, professionalism, and purpose.”
He attributes much of his leadership development to SMU’s bedside teaching model and Ubuntu-centred mentorship from esteemed figures like Prof Honey Mabuza and Prof Zach Koto. “You represent your university in how you work and how you lead,” he says.
To aspiring leaders, he offers timeless advice: “Be a great follower first. Respect those around you. Work hard, stay curious, and remain humble. That mindset will always take you far.”
Even with his demanding role, Ntuli stays grounded through prayer, reading, and time with family. “I always say I’ll join a gym — maybe one day,” he laughs. “But what keeps me grounded is seeing others make a difference.”
Looking ahead, Ntuli hopes to build leadership pipelines, formalise student placements, and forge deeper partnerships between SMU and healthcare institutions. “Hospitals must become academic allies. Research informs policy, and education drives equity.”
To young professionals navigating the weight of responsibility, he offers heartfelt reassurance: “You’re on the right path. Don’t give up. Rest if you must, reflect, and rise”.
Ntuli’s journey is a striking reflection of what SMU stands for: excellence in leadership, integrity in service, and courage in governance. Through his visionary yet grounded approach, he affirms SMU’s status as a national beacon for developing leaders who not only manage systems but transform them, with skill, purpose, and heart.
By Tumelo Moila
by Lorato | Jul 9, 2025 | All News, SMU Media, Student Media
At Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU), education goes far beyond lectures and laboratories — it cultivates leaders with depth, purpose, and vision. Dr Andile Molokomme (29), an SMU alumna and trailblazer in medicine, business, ministry, and youth empowerment, stands as a shining example of this ethos. Her journey is a living testament to SMU’s commitment to developing graduates who are not only academically capable but socially conscious and spiritually grounded — leaders cut above the rest.
Born in Soshanguve and driven by a lifelong desire to serve, Molokomme’s decision to pursue medicine was not just a career path, but a calling. “Since childhood, I knew I wanted to be a doctor,” she reflects. Her years at SMU provided more than clinical training — they offered a platform to explore her faith, leadership, and entrepreneurial ambitions. She was ordained as a pastor during her fourth year, a rare feat for a medical student. “SMU allowed me to be the best version of myself,” she says. “I thrived academically, ministerially, and entrepreneurially — all at once.”
Graduating with a final-year average of 70%, Molokomme credits SMU and her mentor, Pastor Derek Njolomole, for instilling a life-planning framework that continues to guide her: one that integrates health, purpose, finances, and community.
After four years in clinical practice, Molokomme launched Dr Andie Family Practice in Pretoria North — a space for personalised, patient-centred primary care. “I wanted to create a practice that prioritised education, early screening, and holistic wellness,” she explains. Today, the clinic is a trusted community hub serving patients of all ages.
Her entrepreneurial spirit, sparked during her university years, led to the creation of AndiBeauty, a cosmetic brand rooted in empowerment rather than vanity. “I didn’t want just another beauty label,” she says. “I wanted one that uplifted women.” What began as a retail concept has since evolved into AndiBeauty Spa, which offers medical-grade treatments alongside brief wellness consultations and healthcare referrals — a blend of beauty and preventative care that reflects her interdisciplinary vision.
Molokomme is also a media personality, regularly contributing to radio stations such as Thobela FM, Power FM, and Ga-Rankuwa FM. She currently hosts Medical Insights on LoveWorld SAT, using media to educate and inspire.
Yet perhaps her most enduring passion lies in youth development. At 17, she founded Phenomenal Young Persons NPO (181-231), long before she earned her medical degree. “Before I was a doctor or entrepreneur, I was a philanthropist,” she says. The organisation has impacted over 10 institutions, adopted five schools, and has an active presence at major universities, with plans for formal registration at SMU. This May, the NPO brought 130 learners from Lethabong Secondary School, her former school, to the SMU Open Day — continuing a tradition of exposing township youth to higher education. “Exposure breeds aspiration,” she insists.
The organisation offers mentorship, academic awards, and will soon launch an online entrepreneurship course aimed at tackling youth unemployment through capacity building, confidence, and creativity.
“What keeps me going?” she says with a smile. “I love God. Leadership is a joyful burden — in lifting others, I rise too.” For Molokomme, success is mission-driven, not material. “It’s about using who you are to make the world better.”
Her vision for the next five years includes expanding the NPO into ten universities, fifteen colleges, and five African countries; scaling her beauty business; and publishing her autobiography to share the lessons behind her extraordinary journey.
To young professionals and SMU students, her message is clear: “Start with what you have. Be diligent. You don’t need to die with your dreams.”
Molokomme is living proof that SMU does more than educate — it empowers. From township roots to national influence, her life affirms SMU’s role in producing holistic, visionary leaders ready to serve and shape society. She doesn’t just wear many hats — she weaves them into a legacy of impact that will inspire generations to come.
By Tumelo Moila
by Lorato | Jul 9, 2025 | All News, SMU Media, Student Media
At Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU), excellence in healthcare education is more than an aspiration — it is a lived reality shaped by dedication, clinical training, and community impact. Few embody this ethos more powerfully than Kagiso Hellen Kgasi, a 29-year-old trailblazer from Jericho village near Brits in the North West Province. Graduating cum laude in the Bachelor of Nursing and Midwifery, she became the first in her family to achieve such a milestone — a generational breakthrough for both her household and community.
Kgasi’s path into healthcare began in 2014 when she joined the prestigious Nelson Mandela Fidel Castro Medical Programme, studying medicine abroad for three years. Although her original goal was to complete her medical degree, her growing passion for direct patient care led her to pivot toward nursing, a field she now describes as her true calling. “Nursing resonated with me on a personal level,” she explains. “It gave me a practical, immediate way to care for and advocate for people when they need it most.”
Her academic journey was marked by determination, curiosity, and an enduring love for learning. “I didn’t follow a rigid study schedule,” she says. “I studied whenever I could — often spending around 70% of my time learning. I genuinely enjoy it.”
While her academic commitment was unwavering, Kgasi faced considerable obstacles. Financial difficulties and long days that combined lectures with overnight clinicals tested her physical and emotional resilience. “There were moments when I wanted to give up,” she admits. “But I remembered my purpose, leaned on my faith, and pushed forward.”
A defining moment in her journey came in June 2023 during a clinical placement, when she delivered a healthy infant for the first time. “The joy on the mother’s face, knowing I played a part in that safe delivery, confirmed I was exactly where I was meant to be.”
Kgasi attributes much of her growth to SMU’s high academic standards and the support she received from both lecturers and peers. “At times, I thought the expectations were too high — but I now understand that they helped me rise above what I thought was possible,” she says. “Each year, I had someone around me — a friend or peer — who pushed me to do better.”
Now completing her community service at a primary healthcare facility, Anna Legoale Clinic, Rustenburg, North West, with a focus on midwifery, Kagiso is particularly passionate about maternal and child health. She plans to pursue postgraduate studies, aiming for an NQF Level 10 qualification with hopes of becoming a lecturer or professor in the next decade. “I dream of shaping future nurses and influencing healthcare education. I’m also fascinated by the role artificial intelligence could play in improving patient care — from triage systems to smarter appointment scheduling,” she adds.
Her graduation was not just a personal milestone, but a moment of communal pride. “My family was thrilled. For them, it meant more than just a degree — it was a symbol of what’s possible, even from a small village like Jericho.”
To aspiring nurses, Kgasi offers grounded advice: “This journey isn’t easy. But when things get tough, go back to your ‘why’. That’s what carried me through the hard times.”
Anchored by her faith — “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” — Kgasi continues to serve, inspire, and lead with humility and vision.
Her story is not only a personal triumph but a reflection of SMU’s mission: to cultivate skilled, compassionate healthcare professionals who rise to meet the needs of the nation. In Kgasi, SMU has helped shape not just a nurse but a future leader in South African healthcare.
By Tumelo Moila
by Lorato | Jul 9, 2025 | All News, SMU Media, Student Media
At Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU), education is more than academic achievement — it is a launchpad for shaping resilient, purpose-driven leaders. Among its standout alumni is Dr Ndivhuwo Ndou (32), a Medical Officer at Mamelodi Regional Hospital and an avid long-distance runner, currently preparing for the Tokyo Marathon in 2026. His story captures the essence of SMU’s mission: producing well-rounded graduates who thrive in multiple spheres and uplift those around them.
Raised in Tshakhuma Village in Limpopo, Ndou’s values were shaped by his rural upbringing and his mother, a dedicated healthcare worker who became his first role model. “Her achievements set a high bar,” he recalls. “I wanted to serve like she did — and make her proud.”
Determined to pursue medicine, Ndou chose SMU for its health sciences focus and community-oriented ethos. “It was academically demanding,” he admits. “But it taught me time management, resilience, and how to balance intensity with recovery.” Beyond the classroom, he formed lasting friendships and represented the university in football, playing for teams like Santos and Celta Vigo and joining the SMU Dream Team.
It was also at SMU that his passion for running took root. What began in 2015 as a way to unwind quickly evolved. “In 2016, I ran my first official 10km race,” he says. That initial run sparked a long-distance journey that now includes the Comrades and Two Oceans Marathons. His ultimate goal? To complete all six Abbott World Marathon Majors — Berlin, Boston, London, Chicago, New York, and Tokyo.
Balancing life as a full-time doctor and competitive athlete requires discipline. “It’s about routine, diet, and rest,” he says. “When you love something, you make time for it.” His medical training gives him a unique edge. “Understanding sports science helps me train smarter and avoid injuries.”
Fatigue remains a challenge, especially with the demands of hospital work. “There are days when I feel completely drained,” he shares. “But I listen to my body. Recovery is just as important as the work.”
Despite his packed schedule, Ndou stays grounded in service. “Watching patients recover is the most fulfilling part of my job,” he says. At work, he also encourages healthier lifestyles by sharing tips on nutrition, exercise, and mental well-being. “Health education doesn’t stop in the ward,” he explains. “It should be part of everyday conversation.”
Though his current community outreach is informal — mentoring colleagues and peers — he dreams of launching structured wellness programmes and contributing to sports medicine education. “I’d love to help others improve their health and performance safely,” he adds.
His future plans include specialising further in medicine while expanding his international marathon portfolio. “I want to grow as a doctor and as an athlete,” he says. “Both paths challenge me to be better every day.”
When asked what keeps him grounded, his answer is simple: “My family. I want to be the best husband, father, and brother I can be. That’s my anchor.”
To young professionals from disadvantaged backgrounds, his message is heartfelt: “Your background doesn’t define your limits. With vision, discipline and hard work, anything is possible. Keep going step by step.”
Whether with a stethoscope or a pair of running shoes, Ndou is proof that excellence is not confined to a single lane. His life is a testament to the values of SMU — producing graduates who are intellectually capable, socially responsible, and personally driven. As he races toward new horizons, he carries not only his own dreams but the hopes of a generation inspired by what’s possible when education meets purpose.
By Tumelo Moila
