by Lorato | Feb 26, 2026 | Accolades and Achievements, All News, Alumni, SMU Media, Student Media
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University has secured a powerful new voice in global public health. Professor Olanrewaju Oladimeji has been appointed Co-Editor-in-Chief of The Open Public Health Journal, a DHET-accredited, Scopus-indexed publication shaping research and policy debates worldwide. This is not a ceremonial title. It is a strategic seat at the table of global scholarship.
In his new role, Professor Oladimeji will work alongside Professor Leonardo Emberti Gialloreti of the University of Rome Tor Vergata and support Editor-in-Chief Professor Matthias Beck of University College Cork, together with a 43-member editorial board and 13 associate board members. He will help steer the journal’s academic direction, uphold rigorous peer-review standards, and make final decisions on manuscript acceptance. “Editorial leadership is about safeguarding quality and shaping conversations that matter,” Professor Oladimeji said. “Public health research must be rigorous, relevant and responsive to real-world challenges, particularly in Africa and the Global South.”
Published by Bentham Open, The Open Public Health Journal is an international, peer-reviewed, open-access journal covering the full spectrum of public health. Its scope spans public health policy and practice, epidemiology, occupational health, health services research, environmental health, adolescent health, AIDS care and mental health, among other interdisciplinary fields. By making research freely accessible, the journal ensures that evidence reaches practitioners, policymakers and scholars without barriers.
For SMU, the appointment signals momentum. “This is more than an individual achievement,” the University said in a statement. “It reflects SMU’s commitment to advancing health sciences education, research and community engagement in ways that respond directly to Africa’s priorities while contributing to global knowledge.”
As Co-Editor-in-Chief, Professor Oladimeji will also advise on the journal’s strategic growth and recommend new editorial board members. His position creates tangible opportunities for SMU academics to serve as peer reviewers and editorial leaders, expanding the University’s footprint in international scholarship. Postgraduate students and emerging researchers stand to gain valuable exposure to the publication process — sharpening their academic writing, peer-review and research dissemination skills.
Professor Oladimeji’s track record underscores the significance of his appointment. He has authored and co-authored hundreds of peer-reviewed articles, attracting more than 60,000 citations. With an h-index of 36 and an i10-index of 81, his scholarship reflects sustained global impact. His collaborations extend across the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, Asia and multiple African countries.
He has led and co-led major funded projects, including the SAMRC-funded AKITH Study and the NIH D43 Khulani Siphile Siphuhle Doctoral Training Programme. He also serves as a Faculty Mentor in the Sustained Academic Research and Training Programme, a joint UCLA-NIH initiative involving the University of Cape Town, Stellenbosch University and 10 other South African institutions. “My focus has always been research capacity development,” he said. “Strong institutions build strong researchers. Strong researchers produce evidence that changes lives.”
By placing one of its senior scholars in a key international editorial leadership role, SMU strengthens its voice in shaping public health discourse locally and globally. The message is clear: African scholarship is not on the margins. It is leading from the front.
For SMU, this milestone is both recognition and responsibility — and a decisive step towards becoming a leading African university in health sciences education, research and community impact.
By Tumelo Moila
by Lorato | Feb 26, 2026 | Accolades and Achievements, All News, SMU Media, Student Media
When opportunity knocked, he answered with purpose. Enos Motaka Malatji, a final-year Diagnostic Radiography student in the School of Medicine at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU), has been appointed to the National Council of the Society of Radiographers of South Africa (SORSA) as a National Student Representative. He is the first SMU student to join the organisation — and now among the youngest voices contributing to its national agenda.
His appointment marks more than a personal milestone. It signals a meaningful step forward in strengthening student representation within one of South Africa’s most influential professional radiography bodies. “I am grateful for the opportunity,” Malatji said. “Serving SORSA began with curiosity, driven by my passion for student wellness. I never pursued a title — I pursued impact.”
That impact gained national momentum in late 2025 when he was invited to Cape Town to present on student participation at a National Council meeting — a defining moment in his advocacy journey. “That was when I understood the seriousness of this journey,” he reflected. “Standing before national leadership and representing students, I realised this responsibility is bigger than me.”
He credits SORSA Gauteng Representative and SMU Radiography lecturer Khomotso Motiang for encouraging him to accept the invitation. “Her support strengthened my advocacy. Sometimes leadership begins when someone sees potential in you before you see it yourself.”
Now, as National Student Representative, Malatji carries a clear mandate: to direct national student affairs within SORSA and ensure that student radiographers are heard where key decisions are made.
His responsibilities include representing student radiographers nationally; serving as the formal student voice at the National Council; contributing to policy discussions on education, clinical training and professional standards; promoting student participation in congresses, symposia and CPD initiatives; communicating Council decisions to students; strengthening student membership; establishing active student chapters across training institutions; and upholding professional and ethical standards.
“There is still significant work ahead to build a strong foundation,” he said. “But through collaboration with students across universities, Provincial Representatives and the National Council, I am confident that we can shape a stronger future together.”
SORSA, a voluntary non-profit association, represents radiographers across Diagnostic, Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy and Ultrasound disciplines. Recognised nationally and affiliated with the International Society of Radiographers and Radiological Technologists, the Society advances professional standards, publishes The South African Radiographer, and provides continuing professional development opportunities.
For students, membership offers tangible benefits, including discounted access to national congresses and CPD events, Continuing Education Units through Directed Reading Programmes, eligibility for education awards, opportunities for conference funding support and complimentary registration to selected symposia.
However, Malatji believes the true value extends beyond these benefits. “To every radiography student who feels unheard: this platform belongs to you,” he said. “Your experiences in clinical training, your academic challenges and your professional aspirations deserve representation at the highest level.”
He speaks not as a student seeking recognition, but as an advocate committed to service. “Student advocacy is not optional,” he concluded. “If we want a stronger profession tomorrow, we must build it deliberately today.”
With his appointment, the message is clear: the next generation of radiographers is not waiting for a seat at the table — they are stepping forward to lead.
By Tumelo Moila
by Lorato | Feb 25, 2026 | All News, SMU Media, Student Media
At just 19, Lesedi Motswaledi is rewriting the script on what it means to be young, ambitious and purpose-driven. The third-year medical student from Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) was crowned Miss Teenager South Africa 2025/2026 in December, rising from more than 500 entrants to claim one of the country’s most competitive teen titles.
Representing Limpopo, Motswaledi will next carry the South African flag to Miss Teen Model International in Peru in 2026. But for her, the crown is not the headline — impact is. ‘I cannot wait to represent South Africa on the international stage,’ she said. ‘This moment is not mine alone. It belongs to everyone who walked with me, prayed for me, pushed me, and believed in the vision even when it felt bigger than me.’
Raised in Phokwane, Limpopo, Motswaledi balances the rigours of medical training with national pageantry — two demanding worlds she refuses to see as opposites. ‘To me, medicine and pageantry are not so different,’ she said. ‘Both are rooted in service, healing, and creating impact.’
Her campaign stood out for its clarity and conviction. Through her youth mental health initiative, She Carries Light, she advocates for safe spaces, emotional support and body positivity — issues shaped by her own lived experience. ‘My advocacy is rooted in lived experience,’ she said. ‘I know what it feels like to navigate self-doubt while pretending to be fine. I want to be the support I once needed — a reminder that vulnerability is allowed and healing is possible.’
Judges described the 2025 cohort as exceptional, but singled Motswaledi out as ‘a force’. They praised her grace, astuteness and defined vision for youth development, noting that she embodied the MTSA brand through purpose, leadership and compassion. For Motswaledi, leadership is not about age, but accountability. ‘Being 19 has taught me that leadership is less about age and more about intention,’ she said. ‘My age keeps me teachable and grounded. I am walking this journey alongside the youth I serve, not ahead of them.’
When her name was announced on the final night, the celebration quickly gave way to resolve. ‘I expected myself to carry the crown with integrity, purpose and consistency,’ she said. ‘Let the crown amplify my purpose, not define it.’
Balancing medicine and pageantry has required sacrifice. ‘The hardest compromise has been time and rest,’ she admitted. ‘Purpose requires sacrifice, but both paths allow me to serve in meaningful ways.’
As she prepares for Peru, representing ‘Mzansi’ carries weight beyond a sash. ‘It means carrying the resilience and warmth of our people,’ she said. ‘It means placing the dreams of young girls from villages like Phokwane on a global stage.’
Yet her vision extends beyond a single year of reign. ‘I want my legacy measured in impact,’ she said. ‘In the young people who found hope because someone believed in them.’ And if the crown were gone tomorrow? ‘Nothing about my purpose would change,’ she said. ‘The title enhances my light — it does not create it.’
In Lesedi Motswaledi, SMU and South Africa have not only a beauty queen, but a future doctor determined to heal both body and society — boldly, intentionally and without compromise.
By Tumelo Moila
by Lorato | Feb 25, 2026 | Accolades and Achievements, All News, Alumni, SMU Media, Student Media
Excellence in healthcare leadership is not accidental — it is cultivated through vision, discipline and purpose. One such example is Dr Andile Molokomme (Dr Andie), a dynamic medical doctor, entrepreneur and philanthropist who has recently added a prestigious continental accolade to her growing list of achievements. A proud alumna of Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU), her success reflects the calibre of globally competitive and socially responsive graduates produced by the institution.
Dr Molokomme was honoured at the esteemed 40 Under 40 Africa Awards, where she emerged as the winner in the Philanthropy and Charity category. The ceremony, held on 14 February 2026 at the elegant Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City in Accra, Ghana, brought together influential leaders, entrepreneurs and dignitaries from across the African continent. Among those in attendance were traditional Ghanaian leaders and ambassadors from South Africa and Zimbabwe, underscoring the significance of the occasion.
Launched in 2022, the 40 Under 40 Africa Awards celebrate young African leaders under the age of 40 who are demonstrating innovation, resilience and transformative leadership in their respective fields. The awards have since expanded into several African countries, including South Africa, and have, in recent years, positioned themselves on the global stage. The 2026 global edition is scheduled to take place in Dubai in April.
This year’s competition was fiercely contested. Out of 150 entries from 28 countries, 110 finalists were selected across 40 categories, with only 46 winners ultimately announced. Dr Molokomme stood out among six finalists in her category.
“There were 150 entries from 28 countries, 110 finalists and only 46 winners — and I was one of them under the Charity and Philanthropy category. My category had six contestants,” she said.
Describing the achievement as both personal and collective, she added: “This is a massive win for me and our organisation, as this is our first award. When I started Phenomenal Young Persons, it was never about the limelight but impact.”
The founder of the awards, Richard Abbey Jnr, explained the vision behind the initiative: “We named it the Forty Under Forty because 40 is the midpoint, and we also wanted to highlight and celebrate excellence, courage and ambition among Africa’s young entrepreneurs.”
True to that vision, Dr Molokomme’s work extends far beyond clinical practice. Through her youth empowerment organisation, Phenomenal Young Persons, she has mentored and inspired young people across South Africa. Her initiatives have received endorsement from both the Department of Basic Education and the Department of Higher Education and Training, and she has established a meaningful presence in institutions such as Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, the University of Pretoria, Tshwane University of Technology and several Technical and Vocational Education and Training colleges.
Her journey reflects a multidimensional approach to leadership. An alumna of Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Dr Molokomme embodies the institution’s commitment to producing graduates who are not only academically proficient but socially conscious and ethically grounded.
Her entrepreneurial spirit was ignited during her university years, leading to the establishment of AndiBeauty — a cosmetic brand rooted in empowerment rather than vanity. “I didn’t want just another beauty label,” she explained. “I wanted one that uplifted women.”
What began as a retail concept has since evolved into AndiBeauty Spa, offering medical-grade aesthetic treatments alongside brief wellness consultations and healthcare referrals. By integrating beauty, wellness and preventative healthcare, she has created an innovative model that reflects her medical background and passion for holistic wellbeing.
For Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, this continental recognition is a powerful affirmation of its mission to nurture leaders who make meaningful contributions beyond the lecture hall. Dr Andile Molokomme’s achievement demonstrates how education, when anchored in purpose and service, can translate into impact across borders.
As the awards prepare for their global showcase in Dubai, her story stands as an inspiring reminder that Africa’s future is being shaped by young leaders who are bold enough to dream, disciplined enough to work and committed enough to serve. Among them is an SMU alumna whose influence now reaches far beyond South Africa’s shores.
By Dimakatso Modise
by Lorato | Feb 25, 2026 | All News, SMU Media, Student Media
In a moment defined by ambition and possibility, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) placed its students at the centre of a significant international engagement, welcoming a distinguished French mathematics delegation to campus. The meeting was not a ceremonial exchange, but a dynamic platform where postgraduate students and academics interacted directly with global research leaders. For many students present, the discussions signalled more than collaboration; they represented access to international research networks, joint supervision, academic mobility, and new postgraduate pathways capable of reshaping their scholarly futures.
The delegation represented the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), specifically CNRS Mathematics, and engaged in discussions connected to the International Mathematical Sciences Academy (IMSA). These engagements form part of broader strategic collaborations between CNRS and the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits University), aimed at strengthening global research integration through a proposed International Research Laboratory.
Professor Sophie Niang-Dabo, nominated by CNRS Mathematics to serve as Co-Director of the envisaged International Research Laboratory, outlined the scope of opportunity embedded in the proposal. She explained that establishing a CNRS–IMSA International Research Laboratory would create a sustained research ecosystem. For students, this would translate into international co-supervision, doctoral mobility between France and South Africa, structured research exchanges, and participation in collaborative scientific programmes.
She further emphasised inclusivity. Partnerships of this scale, she noted, must widen participation in global research spaces and include institutions that play transformative roles within their national contexts.
Celine Montbellier, International Programme Manager at CNRS Mathematics, elaborated on the structural benefits of the model. The Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, she explained, establishes International Research Laboratories to ensure long-term collaboration rather than short-term academic visits. Through this framework, postgraduate students may access joint doctoral supervision, research residencies in France, international seminars, and collaborative publications—mechanisms that directly strengthen academic progression.
At SMU, the delegation was welcomed by Professor Sechene Stanley Gololo, Deputy Dean of the School of Science and Technology, who positioned the engagement within the University’s developmental mission. As a historically disadvantaged institution, he stressed, SMU must be deliberate in leveraging every opportunity presented to it.
Professor Gololo indicated that the University intends to explore and utilise all opportunities introduced by the delegation and, hopefully, exhaust them fully, as they hold immense value for a previously disadvantaged university such as SMU. He underscored that the students present at the meeting were not observers, but primary beneficiaries. Access to international research laboratories, mobility programmes, and joint supervision, he said, has the potential to significantly expand their academic horizons and contribute to equity and advancement.
Providing strategic context, Professor Emeritus Loyiso G. Nongxa, Chairperson of the Interim IMSA Strategy and Steering Committee, reflected on the evolution of the initiative. Over the past eighteen months, sustained engagements with colleagues at the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique Mathematics have shaped the proposal. Securing mathematical sciences as a pillar of the Wits University–Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique International Research Centre was a deliberate move, and the proposed International Research Laboratory extends that vision through a formal, long-term collaborative structure.
Professor Nongxa highlighted the broader national significance of IMSA, established to broaden the work of the Centre of Excellence for Mathematical and Statistical Sciences and the National Graduate Academy for Mathematical and Statistical Sciences. The creation of the International Research Laboratory, he noted, would elevate South Africa’s global standing in mathematical sciences while strengthening postgraduate development across participating institutions, including SMU.
The programme at SMU was directed by Professor Maggie Aphane, Head of the Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, who linked the collaboration to the University’s health sciences focus. She observed that SMU’s strength lies in the intersection of mathematical theory and health applications, including biostatistics, epidemiological modelling, computational mathematics, and data science.
Throughout the engagement, students posed questions about doctoral mobility, research exchanges, and publication opportunities. The dialogue affirmed that the proposed International Research Laboratory is not abstract diplomacy, but a practical framework with direct implications for student growth.
The formal proposal for the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique–International Mathematical Sciences Academy International Research Laboratory is scheduled for submission by 31 March 2026. While hosted by Wits University, its collaborative architecture is designed to include institutions such as SMU.
By Dimakatso Modise
by Lorato | Feb 23, 2026 | All News, SMU Media, Student Media
As final-year students stand on the threshold between campus life and the professional world, the questions about “what comes next” often grow louder. Recognising this pivotal moment, the Department of Student Affairs at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) has launched the Final-Year Readiness & Empowerment Programme (FREP), a pioneering initiative designed to guide students through one of the most defining transitions of their academic journey.
FREP is the first institutional programme at SMU dedicated specifically to the holistic readiness of final-year students across both professional and academic qualifications. It acknowledges that the final year is not only about completing coursework, but also about preparing mentally, emotionally and professionally for life beyond graduation.
Opening the launch, Deputy Director: Campus Health and Counselling, Tshidiso Ntshabele, emphasised the importance of structured support during this critical phase. “The final year represents a turning point in a student’s journey. It is a period filled with anticipation, but also uncertainty. As a University, we must ensure that our students are equipped not only with knowledge, but with resilience, confidence and clarity about their next steps,” he said.
The initiative forms part of the broader strategic focus of the Department of Student Affairs under the leadership of Director Tulani Nkuntse, whose portfolio continues to prioritise student wellbeing, success and graduate preparedness through targeted developmental programmes.
The programme overview was presented by Lesego Tsima, Social Worker in the Department of Student Affairs and coordinator of FREP. She outlined a comprehensive plan of activities that will run throughout the academic year, combining career-readiness workshops, postgraduate preparation guidance, mental health support conversations, and sessions focused on identity and purpose development.
“FREP is intentionally practical and interactive,” Tsima explained. “Students will actively develop their CVs, refine their professional profiles, engage directly with alumni and employers, and build career strategies while they are still completing their studies. Our goal is to ensure that no student feels alone or unprepared as they approach graduation.”
An external perspective was shared by the South African Graduate Employers Association (SAGEA), which partnered in the launch to provide insights into workplace expectations and graduate employability. The collaboration underscored the value of aligning higher education initiatives with employer networks to strengthen the transition from university to the world of work.
The launch further amplified student voices, offering a platform for honest reflection on the realities of navigating the final year.
Mbulelo Tlali, a Bachelor of Science in Mathematical Sciences third-year student, spoke candidly about the uncertainty that accompanies the transition. He said he is “feeling anxious about what next year holds and hopes that FREP will help ease those uncertainties.” At the same time, he shared that he is excited about the opportunities the programme may provide and eager to develop new skills that will enhance his professional readiness.
Sanele Mhlongo, a Bachelor of Science in Life Sciences third-year student, echoed similar concerns. He said he is “unsure of what to expect and is looking forward to gaining guidance and support through the programme.” Reflecting on the initiative, he added that being included in the programme provides a renewed sense of direction and motivation as he prepares for life after graduation.
Ray Wenzile, a Bachelor of Science in Mathematical Sciences third-year student, described the initiative as a source of reassurance. He noted that “participating in FREP gives hope that anxieties can be managed more effectively and that students will feel more prepared for the challenges ahead.” He also highlighted the importance of connecting with peers facing similar transitions, emphasising that such engagements support both personal and academic growth.
The Final-Year Readiness & Empowerment Programme will be delivered through a combination of cross-cutting and school-specific engagements tailored to the diverse needs of SMU students.
Through FREP, the Department of Student Affairs reaffirms SMU’s commitment to cultivating graduates who are not only academically competent, but also emotionally grounded, career-ready and confident to step into their next chapter with purpose.
By Dimakatso Modise
