by Lorato | Jun 3, 2026 | All News, Alumni, SMU Media, Student Media
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing health systems innovation through impactful doctoral research aimed at solving some of South Africa’s most persistent healthcare challenges. A newly completed PhD study by Dr Mmabatho Miriam Ndwandwe has introduced a comprehensive governance framework designed to address chronic medicine shortages in public health facilities across the Eastern Cape Province, a problem that continues to undermine patient care and delay progress towards universal health coverage.
Medicine stock-outs remain one of the most critical barriers to effective healthcare delivery in South Africa’s public sector. Despite existing procurement policies and regulatory frameworks, many facilities continue to experience frequent shortages of essential medicines, exposing deep structural weaknesses in governance, accountability and supply chain coordination. Dr Ndwandwe’s research responds directly to this challenge by proposing a practical, evidence-based framework to strengthen medicine governance from provincial to facility level.
At the heart of the study is a clear warning about the systemic nature of the problem. “Medicine shortages in the public health system are not only a supply chain issue, but a governance failure that requires coordinated leadership, transparency and accountability at every level of the system,” said Dr Ndwandwe, highlighting the urgency for structural reform.
Her doctoral research adopted a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design, combining quantitative data from 394 healthcare professionals with qualitative insights drawn from 20 in-depth interviews with healthcare managers operating at both facility and provincial levels. The study included nurses, pharmacists and medical officers across clinics, community health centres and hospitals in the Eastern Cape, ensuring a comprehensive view of the health system.
The quantitative findings revealed that more than 70 per cent of respondents reported frequent medicine stock-outs that severely disrupted service delivery. Statistical analysis further showed significant associations between perceptions of stock management and professional category, indicating inconsistencies in how shortages are experienced across different healthcare roles.
The qualitative phase provided deeper insight into the structural drivers of these shortages. Participants identified weak pharmaceutical supply chain systems, fragmented communication channels, poor budget transparency, limited functionality of Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committees (PTCs), and inadequate accountability mechanisms as key contributors to ongoing challenges.
“Health professionals consistently highlighted the lack of coordination between procurement processes and facility-level needs,” Dr Ndwandwe explained. “Without functional governance structures and clear accountability systems, even well-designed policies fail to translate into reliable medicine availability.”
Using the World Health Organization’s Good Governance for Medicines (GGM) Model as a guiding framework, the study developed a four-pillar governance model. This includes strengthened leadership and accountability mechanisms, improved transparency in procurement and financial systems, enhanced functionality of governance structures such as PTCs, and improved capacity-building alongside compliance monitoring.
Stakeholder validation confirmed that the framework is both practical and aligned with the National Health Act and international governance standards. Experts noted its strong potential to improve coordination between provincial authorities and frontline healthcare facilities, thereby strengthening the overall efficiency of medicine supply systems.
Dr Ndwandwe, who brings extensive experience in public health leadership, including roles as a hospital Chief Executive Officer and senior provincial health manager, said her work is grounded in practical experience. Her background in pharmacy, supply chain management and health systems governance adds critical depth to the study’s findings and recommendations.
The research concludes that resolving medicine shortages requires more than logistical fixes; it demands a transparent, accountable and fully integrated governance system that connects policy with implementation. The proposed framework offers a realistic and scalable pathway towards achieving this transformation.
SMU emphasised that research of this nature reflects its broader mission to produce knowledge that directly responds to national health priorities. Through rigorous academic inquiry and innovation, the university continues to strengthen South Africa’s health systems and improve access to essential medicines.
As the country works towards achieving universal health coverage, Dr Ndwandwe’s research stands as a significant contribution, demonstrating how SMU continues to shape solutions that improve healthcare delivery and ultimately enhance the well-being of communities across South Africa.
By Tumelo Moila.
by Lorato | Jun 3, 2026 | Accolades and Achievements, All News, Alumni, SMU Media, Student Media
As cardiovascular disease continues to place an increasing burden on South Africa’s healthcare system, groundbreaking research from Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) is providing new insights into one of the country’s most complex and under-recognised heart conditions. Newly graduated Doctor of Philosophy (Physiology) graduate, Dr Marilet van Hoogland-van Heerden, has produced significant findings that could help improve the diagnosis, management and treatment of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) among black South Africans.
Dr van Hoogland-van Heerden’s doctoral study investigated the relationship between hypertension, diabetes mellitus, renal function and treatment in a young-to-middle-aged HFpEF population. The research examined 125 patients diagnosed with HFpEF and compared them with 510 participants without the condition, making it one of the most comprehensive community-based studies of HFpEF conducted in South Africa.
HFpEF is a growing form of heart failure closely associated with hypertension and other cardiometabolic disorders. Through detailed anthropometric, echocardiographic, haemodynamic and pulse wave velocity assessments, the study identified significant cardiovascular abnormalities among affected patients.
“The findings revealed that HFpEF in black South Africans is characterised by markedly increased arterial stiffness and concentric left ventricular hypertrophy, alongside a high burden of hypertension, diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease,” said Dr van Hoogland-van Heerden.
“These results highlight the urgent need for earlier intervention, improved risk-factor management and treatment strategies that are tailored to the realities of South African communities.”
The study found that both HFpEF and non-HFpEF participants were predominantly middle-aged and obese. However, patients with HFpEF who also suffered from hypertension showed stronger associations with arterial stiffness and structural changes in the heart. Diabetic HFpEF patients demonstrated more severe cardiovascular disease and related complications, underscoring the compounded impact of multiple chronic conditions.
Importantly, the research revealed that current treatment approaches had limited effects on several key clinical markers, suggesting that more targeted interventions may be required to improve patient outcomes.
“The burden of cardiovascular risk factors identified in this population demonstrates the importance of prevention and early management,” Dr van Hoogland-van Heerden explained. “Addressing these risk factors before heart failure develops could significantly reduce disease progression and improve quality of life.”
The findings contribute valuable evidence to a field that remains under-researched in African populations. By providing detailed data on HFpEF within a South African context, the study offers important guidance for clinicians, researchers and policymakers seeking to improve healthcare outcomes.
Among its recommendations, the study advocates for greater emphasis on lifestyle interventions and consideration of newer therapies, including sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, thiazide diuretics and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) for high-risk patients.
Beyond the doctoral research itself, Dr van Hoogland-van Heerden has already published two peer-reviewed articles arising from the study and received several prestigious awards from the Physiological Society of Southern Africa and the South African Medical Research Council, including a Best Oral Presentation Award. She currently serves as a lecturer in SMU’s Department of Physiology, where she combines teaching, postgraduate supervision and research focused on heart failure, hypertension and cardiovascular risk factors in African populations.
Her achievement reflects SMU’s growing research footprint and its commitment to generating knowledge that addresses South Africa’s most pressing health challenges. Through innovative, community-focused scholarship, the university continues to advance scientific discovery that not only strengthens healthcare practice but also contributes to improving the health and well-being of communities across the country.
By Tumelo Moila
by Lorato | Jun 3, 2026 | All News, Alumni, SMU Media, Student Media
The Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) played a central role in the International Day for Biological Diversity 2026 celebrations held at Tshwane South TVET College’s ODI Campus and the Toloane Catchment Area in Hebron/Mabopane. The programme, themed “Skills for the River, Impact for the Planet,” brought together government, academia, and community partners to advance biodiversity conservation, citizen science, and integrated catchment management. The event aligned with Africa Day and marked the soft launch of the Ecological Infrastructure Rehabilitation for Sustainable Livelihoods (EIR4SL) Programme, reinforcing a shared commitment to environmental restoration and sustainable livelihoods.
Stakeholders included the Department of Water and Sanitation, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Magalies Water, the Gauteng Department of Environment, the City of Tshwane Water and Sanitation Unit, Tshwane South TVET College, Friends of Toloane NPC, and community structures such as the Toloane Youth Water Network. SMU representatives from the Department of Biology and Environmental Sciences, including Dr Clarissa Naidoo, Dr Ntebo Lion, Tshegofatso Modise, Letlhogonolo Ntshimane, Pitso Hoffman, Sphiwe Joseph Skosana, and Trevor Bongani Bvuma, contributed across planning sessions, field activities, and public engagement platforms, strengthening multi-sector collaboration in the catchment.
“Biodiversity protection is not theoretical for us—it is a lived responsibility,” said Dr Naidoo. “Through partnerships like this, we are translating science into action that improves water systems, public health, and community resilience.”
SMU contributed significantly to environmental education and citizen science activities, supporting the “Skills for Nature” learning stations, water quality testing, and ecological awareness exhibitions. Students and staff participated in both indoor discussions and outdoor field demonstrations, including river monitoring, invasive species identification, and ecological restoration activities. The university also extended public outreach through SMU FM 97.1 and its institutional communication platforms, ensuring wider community participation and awareness.
“Working in the catchment area allows students to connect environmental science with real-world public health outcomes,” said Dr Lion. “This experience strengthens the link between academic learning and community impact in a meaningful way.”
The programme featured a structured indoor stakeholder session at Tshwane South TVET College, where presentations focused on integrated catchment management, biodiversity conservation, and invasive species control. Outdoor field activities in the Toloane Catchment Area enabled participants to apply theory in practice through environmental clean-ups, river health assessments, and citizen science monitoring. Learning stations showcased water quality monitoring tools, ecological restoration methods, and environmental education resources, while Magalies Water demonstrated a pilot water treatment truck as part of the exhibition.
Modise highlighted the importance of youth participation, stating: “When young people are actively involved in environmental monitoring and restoration, they become long-term custodians of our natural resources. This programme is building that generation.”
Key outcomes included strengthened stakeholder collaboration, increased biodiversity awareness, enhanced youth engagement in environmental programmes, and improved understanding of integrated catchment management approaches. Participants also emphasised the value of indigenous knowledge systems and community-led environmental stewardship as essential components of sustainable ecological rehabilitation.
The International Day for Biological Diversity 2026 programme demonstrated the power of collaborative environmental action across government, academia, and communities. It also reinforced SMU’s growing role in advancing environmental health education, citizen science, and interdisciplinary engagement in real-world ecosystems. Through its active participation, SMU strengthened its contribution to environmental sustainability and public health linkages.
The initiative laid a strong foundation for the expansion of the EIR4SL Programme, positioning SMU and its partners at the centre of future efforts to restore ecological infrastructure, build climate resilience, and promote sustainable community livelihoods across the Tshwane catchment region.
By Tumelo Moila
by Lorato | Jun 3, 2026 | All News, Alumni, SMU Media, Student Media
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) continues to assert its growing global footprint, as MBChB IV student Freddy Kunene returns from a transformative international experience at the Asia World Model United Nations (AWMUN), held in Seoul, South Korea. His participation marks a significant milestone not only in his personal academic journey but also in SMU’s broader mission to produce globally engaged health sciences graduates capable of shaping international dialogue.
Kunene was selected through a competitive process that considered both academic excellence and leadership capacity, making him one of only two South Africans in the programme and the sole representative from SMU. Supported by the School of Medicine, the Student Affairs Directorate, and the Internationalisation Directorate, his selection reflects SMU’s commitment to expanding access to high-impact global learning opportunities.
Organised by the International Global Network (IGN), AWMUN brings together young leaders aged 15 to 25 from across the world to simulate United Nations councils and debate urgent global challenges such as disease outbreaks, climate change, and international development. The programme is designed to strengthen diplomacy, public speaking, negotiation, and cross-cultural collaboration skills in future global leaders.
Reflecting on the experience, Kunene described it as a defining moment in his academic and personal development.
“AWMUN is a global programme that brings together student leaders from across the world to engage in dialogue on pressing global issues, including disease outbreaks, climate change, and other challenges affecting humanity. I was fortunate to be selected to participate in this programme, an opportunity made possible through the support of the Office of the School of Medicine Deanery under the leadership of Prof Chauke, the Office of Student Affairs under Mr Nkuntse, and the Office of Internationalisation under Dr Jooste,” he said.
At just 20 years old, Kunene experienced international travel for the first time, navigating unfamiliar environments while representing both South Africa and SMU on a global stage. The experience, he said, pushed him far beyond his comfort zone and reshaped his confidence.
“This experience was truly life-changing. It pushed me far beyond my comfort zone — navigating new languages, unfamiliar food, and an entirely different environment. Even the memory of my first flight still stands out as a moment of both excitement and disbelief. Through it all, I learned, adapted, and grew,” he added.
Beyond formal debates, Kunene highlighted the value of building international networks with fellow delegates, noting that these connections will continue to influence his academic and leadership journey.
One of the most memorable highlights came during the closing gala dinner, where he received recognition for best dressed after proudly wearing IsiXhosa traditional attire. The choice, he said, was intentional and deeply symbolic.
“For the event, I carefully selected IsiXhosa traditional attire after reflecting on South Africa’s rich cultural diversity and asking myself which outfit would stand out while honouring my identity. Wearing it made me feel confident and deeply connected to my roots,” he explained.
He added that the moment carried broader significance. “Standing on that stage meant more than recognition — it symbolised a dream realised. It felt like I was carrying the hopes of my ancestors, proving that our voices belong in global spaces too.”
Kunene’s achievement reinforces SMU’s vision of transforming health services through excellence and innovation, while strengthening its institutional values of leadership, excellence, and ubuntu. His journey demonstrates how SMU continues to empower students to transcend local boundaries and engage meaningfully in global academic and professional spaces.
As SMU advances its mission of producing socially responsive and globally competitive health professionals, stories such as Kunene’s affirm that its students are not only participants in global conversations — they are active contributors shaping them.
By Tumelo Moila
by Lorato | Jun 3, 2026 | All News, Alumni, SMU Media, Student Media
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) is celebrating a significant achievement following the appointment of its Department of Intensive Care secretary and SMU women’s football team coach, Dorah Thorisa Mashigo, as Head Coach of Team SA Women’s Football for the upcoming Confederation of Universities and Colleges Sports Association (CUCSA) Games.
The tournament will take place in Gaborone, Botswana, from 28 June to 6 July 2026 and will be hosted by the Botswana Tertiary Student Sport Association (BOTESSA). The regional competition will bring together tertiary student-athletes from across Southern Africa.
Affectionately known as Coach Dee, Mashigo’s appointment marks a proud moment for both the university and South African university sport. It reflects SMU’s commitment to developing excellence in leadership, sport and student development. Her selection to lead the national women’s university football team highlights the growing influence of SMU in nurturing talented professionals who excel both on and off the field.
For Mashigo, the appointment was met with a mixture of excitement and responsibility. “At first, I felt scared because coaching a national team is very different from coaching a club or university team. You work with players from different backgrounds, and expectations are much higher,” she said. “At the same time, I felt very honoured and grateful to be trusted with this role. It is a big step in my coaching journey, and I do not take it lightly.”
Born and raised in Ga-Rankuwa, Mashigo’s football journey began on the dusty fields of her community. What started as a childhood passion evolved into a lifelong commitment to the sport. She recalls beginning not as a coach, but as a young football enthusiast determined to pursue her dreams despite limited resources. “I didn’t start as a coach. I started as a young girl with a dream, worn-out boots and a deep love for football,” she reflected.
Football became a powerful teacher, instilling discipline, resilience, teamwork and perseverance. Her coaching career began while she was playing for Juventus FC, where she assisted with training sessions under Coach Fana Makhudu. Those early experiences ignited a passion for coaching that would ultimately shape her future.
Over the years, Mashigo has built an impressive coaching portfolio. She guided the SMU men’s staff football team to success at the South African University Sports Association (SAUSSA) Games, obtained both CAF D and CAF C Coaching Licences, and led Titans FC Women’s Team to promotion to the SAFA Tshwane Women’s Regional League. She currently serves as Head Coach of the SMU Ladies Football Team while also fulfilling administrative responsibilities within the university.
Reflecting on her journey, Mashigo credited SMU for supporting her development as both a coach and a leader. “My experience at SMU has played a significant role in my growth as a coach and leader. Working with student-athletes from diverse backgrounds has strengthened my leadership, communication and athlete development skills,” she said.
As she prepares for the CUCSA Games, Mashigo remains focused on building a united and competitive team capable of representing South Africa with distinction. “I hope this appointment not only contributes to my own growth but also inspires other women who aspire to pursue leadership roles within football,” she said.
Her appointment embodies SMU’s values of excellence, leadership and empowerment. As Team SA prepares for Botswana, the university proudly celebrates one of its own whose journey demonstrates how talent, perseverance and opportunity can produce leaders capable of making an impact on the international stage.
By Rose Moreki
by Lorato | May 28, 2026 | All News, Alumni, SMU Media, Student Media
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) has strengthened its position as a continental leader in health sciences education following a landmark clinical benchmarking session with Botswana’s private institution, Boitekanelo College.
Hosted at SMU and led by acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Dini Mawela, the engagement operationalised the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between SMU and Boitekanelo College in September 2025. The visit marked a major step towards expanding African-led healthcare education partnerships across the SADC region.
Leading the Botswana delegation was Dr Tiro Mampane, SMU alumnus and founder and president of Boitekanelo College, who graduated from the university’s School of Medicine in 2003. Returning to his alma mater more than two decades later, Dr Mampane arrived with an ambitious vision to establish a school of dentistry in Botswana inspired by the SMU model.
“Of course, the journey has been very difficult but fulfilling because obviously I’m very passionate about it. It’s really close to my heart,” said Dr Mampane. “When I was here, I didn’t just learn medicine. I also saw what was going on in SMU. And basically, I want to replicate SMU in Botswana.”
Dr Mampane emphasised that health sciences programmes remain critical in addressing unemployment and strengthening healthcare delivery across the region. “Health programmes… the advantage about them is that currently, the sought-after employment rate with them is very high compared to other programmes,” he said.
The visit was coordinated through SMU’s Internationalisation Directorate under the leadership of Dr Carlien Jooste, who highlighted the university’s commitment to active and mutually beneficial African partnerships.
“My department advocates for partnerships that are mutually beneficial and active, which means that we do not enter into partnerships without evidence of collaboration already taking place,” Dr Jooste explained.
She added that the benchmarking visit followed extensive engagements in Gaborone earlier this year, where SMU academics and leadership interacted with Boitekanelo College and other institutions in Botswana. Those discussions showcased the strength of SMU’s dentistry programmes and inspired the current collaboration.
Importantly, Dr Jooste described the partnership as part of a wider shift toward African-centred academic development. “For years, universities in the Global South were dictated to by the Global North on how to internationalise,” she said. “Partnerships with SADC and other African countries now allow us to develop mutually beneficial partnerships on our terms.”
Boitekanelo College plans to implement the project through a phased academic rollout beginning with Oral Hygiene, progressing to Dental Therapy, and eventually introducing a full Dentistry degree programme. Dr Jooste stressed that benchmarking should promote adaptation rather than duplication.
“Benchmarking is not a copy-and-paste exercise,” she noted. “It is a learning exercise that allows you to take and implement what works for your programme and institution.”
The partnership framework also includes student clinical rotations, staff exchanges, collaborative teaching opportunities, and joint research initiatives aimed at strengthening healthcare systems across borders.
Following tours of the SMU Dental Hospital, the Botswana delegation acknowledged the scale of investment required to establish a world-class dental programme. However, the engagement reinforced confidence in the partnership’s long-term impact.
As discussions expanded into future regional community dentistry projects and collaborative healthcare initiatives, the benchmarking session reaffirmed SMU’s growing reputation as a premier African institution advancing excellence, innovation, and transformation in health sciences education.
By Rose Moreki
