by Lorato | Jul 2, 2025 | All News, SMU Media, Student Media
Academic excellence is not merely the attainment of high marks—it is the embodiment of curiosity, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of knowledge. At Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU), this ideal lies at the heart of its mission to nurture future leaders in health sciences. It is within this context that the university proudly celebrates Dr Kiara Ramjas, a shining example of intellectual brilliance and compassionate service, who has been awarded the prestigious Dean’s Award for Outstanding Achievement in the School of Medicine.
Graduating summa cum laude from the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) programme, Ramjas represents the pinnacle of academic and personal excellence. Honoured during the 2025 autumn graduation ceremony, her achievement is a testament not only to her scholastic aptitude but also to her unwavering commitment to humanity. At just 24 years old, the Centurion-born graduate has already carved a legacy—one defined by purpose, perseverance, and a deep-rooted passion for healing.
Now a first-year intern at Tygerberg Hospital in the Western Cape, Ramjas reflects on the path that led her to this milestone. “It’s been an exciting yet challenging first few months, but my time at SMU truly prepared me for the obstacles I now face as an intern,” she shares.
Born in Laudium and raised in Centurion, Kiara grew up in a home where empathy was a way of life. Her father’s work in healthcare, her mother’s advocacy for persons with disabilities, and her close relationship with her sister, who has Down syndrome, instilled in her a strong sense of service from a young age.
“A career in medicine seemed like a destined choice,” she says. “I’ve always been driven by a desire to make a tangible difference in people’s lives.”
That calling crystallised in high school when she volunteered at a local clinic. The experience of caring for patients in a holistic and respectful manner convinced her that medicine was not just a profession, but her purpose.
Choosing SMU for her studies was no accident. “The MBChB programme’s emphasis on community-based learning and its supportive environment aligned perfectly with my values,” she notes. One of her standout academic experiences was with Professor Gregory Lebona, whose humility and passion for teaching anatomy inspired her deeply. “He taught us that success is rooted in hard work and kindness, regardless of your achievements.”
Achieving summa cum laude—the highest academic distinction—was no small feat. Ramjas credits her success to a disciplined study routine, peer collaboration, and the unwavering support of her family. “I prioritised consistency—daily reviews, concise notes, past papers, and scheduled breaks. It was about studying smart, not just hard.”
Outside the lecture halls, Ramjas remained actively engaged in community service, particularly through her work with Down Syndrome South Africa. This reinforced her dedication to inclusivity and public health. “It helped me grow not just as a medical student, but as a person.”
One moment that left a lasting impact on her was caring for a young liver cancer patient. “She reminded me that patients remember how you made them feel. That encounter taught me that kindness is the true currency of medicine.”
Her family, friends, and fellow students formed the foundation of her support system. “At university, we built a culture of helping one another. We believed that success is sweeter when shared.”
Looking ahead, Ramjas has her sights set on paediatrics, with long-term aspirations of joining Doctors Without Borders. “Children are the legacy we leave behind. Being a paediatrician means safeguarding the health of future generations. That’s a privilege I want to earn.”
Receiving the Dean’s Award and summa cum laude honours came as a surprise on graduation day. “I was overwhelmed with gratitude. It was a powerful reminder that 18 years of hard work, from primary school to medical school, had finally come full circle.”
As she steps confidently into her role as a doctor, Ramjas remains grounded in her core values—empathy, excellence, and service. “I hope to be remembered as someone who combined academic rigour with compassion and used every opportunity to uplift others.”
In a world that urgently needs healthcare professionals who lead with empathy and integrity, Ramjas exemplifies the calibre of graduates SMU strives to cultivate.
By Tumelo Moila
by Kegorapetse | Jun 25, 2025
by Lorato | May 7, 2025 | All News, SMU Media, Student Media
Andile Moloi, a 22-year-old medical student from Tembisa, Gauteng, represents a new generation of South African scholars who are not only academically gifted but deeply committed to societal transformation. Currently in her fifth year of the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) programme at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU), Moloi has emerged as a dynamic leader in health sciences, youth empowerment, and innovation.
Moloi’s commitment to leadership and social impact began at a remarkably young age. At just 10 years old, she was elected Chairperson of Soul Buddyz, a school-based programme designed to educate young learners on social issues affecting their communities. By the age of 12, she had already spearheaded an anti-drug campaign through the Youth Citizens Action Programme (YCAP), initiated by the Department of Basic Education. Her team’s work earned them first place in Gauteng and a top-three national ranking, firmly establishing her as a young leader to watch.
Her academic journey through high school was marked by consistent excellence, particularly in mathematics, science, and technology. She participated in multiple math & science olympiads and led a project on carbon dioxide reduction, which placed her in the top 10 of the competition in the province. It was during this time that she became affiliated with Nkathuto Edu Propeller, a non-profit organisation focused on promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and entrepreneurship in disadvantaged communities.
She went on to serve as the organisation’s Academic Officer and later became the first Chairperson of the Nkathuto Alumni Community, a network of young innovators from across South Africa. These roles laid a strong foundation for her work with respected institutions such as the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), National Research Foundation (NRF), and SAASTA, as well as her participation in United Nations programmes focused on youth and science.
Despite her broad interest in science and innovation, Moloi’s true passion has always been Medicine, particularly Surgery and Neurosciences. Her resolve was solidified by a deeply personal tragedy during her second year of study: the loss of her father, one day after he underwent emergency brain surgery. He had been battling lung cancer that metastasised to his brain.
“This moment changed everything,” Moloi recalls. “It exposed me to the emotional and clinical complexities of neurological disease and gave me a purpose to pursue medicine with empathy, depth, and the desire to make a difference when it matters most.”
Moloi’s academic achievements earned her a Gauteng City Region Academy (GCRA) scholarship as one of the top three matriculants from a public school in the province, enabling her to pursue her degree at SMU. At university, she has remained deeply engaged in both academic and leadership spheres. She tutors chemistry, anatomy, biophysics, and pathology through the Centre for University Teaching and Learning (CUTL) and mentors first-year students through the Faculty Mentorship Programme.
In 2023, she was named one of South Africa’s Top 100 Most Promising students by the GradStar Awards and was subsequently profiled in the Mail & Guardian (6 December 2023 edition) for her leadership and community contributions.
Professor Risenga Frank Chauke, Acting Dean of the SMU School of Medicine, commended Moloi’s exceptional trajectory: “Moloi is a rare blend of intellectual brilliance and human compassion. She, a philanthropist, exemplifies what it means to be a servant leader in the field of medicine. Her passion for learning, her courage in the face of personal loss, and her unwavering commitment to community service are a reflection of the values we seek to instil in every SMU graduate. Not only will she excel in her career as a medical professional but we see her being a future job creator, elevating the current country’s economic state”
In addition to her academic and clinical pursuits, Moloi is also a budding entrepreneur and innovator. She is currently leading the development of sustainable alternative charging solutions, contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This innovation has earned her recognition as a South African delegate to the largest African entrepreneurship and innovation summit, scheduled to take place in Freetown, Sierra Leone, in May 2025, under the patronage of the President of Sierra Leone.
Moloi’s leadership footprint extends across several professional student structures at SMU. She has served as the Community Outreach Officer of the SMU Surgical Society, the social media Officer for the SMU Diagnostic Society, and the Finance Officer for SMU Medics on Motion. She was also selected as the Face of Medicine in the Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice (IPECP) programme, and the Face of the Skills Centre, a role appointed by Dr Lesego Phiri, Head of the Skills Centre at SMU.
Moloi remains grounded in gratitude. She credits much of her journey to a circle of mentors and supporters who believed in her from the beginning, including her late father, her mother, Thato Maleka (her debate and English teacher), the co-founders of Nkathuto Edu Propeller, Thulile Khanyile and Thandeka Mhlanga, Dr Lesego Phiri, and Thokozile Ramoroko (Head of IPECP).
As she moves closer to completing her medical degree, Moloi is focused on pursuing specialisation in neurosurgery, while continuing to lead innovation initiatives that have a lasting impact on healthcare and society.
In all she does, Moloi lives out the core values of Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University: excellence, integrity, compassion, accountability, respect, and service. These values are not mere words, but principles that guide her every step — from Tembisa’s classrooms to the halls of the operating theatre.
“The road ahead is long, but I am walking it with purpose. I want to be the kind of doctor who not only treats but inspires, who heals but also uplifts communities. I owe it to every young girl in Tembisa who dares to dream.”
By Dimakatso Modise
