Dr Nonjabulo Ndaba, UKZN’s youngest Doctor of Philosophy graduate in the Discipline of Occupational Therapy.The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) has celebrated a historic academic milestone with the graduation of Dr Nonjabulo Ndaba, who became the youngest Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) graduate and the first Black South African woman to achieve this distinction in the Discipline of Occupational Therapy.
Dr Abba Mallum celebrates attaining his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Radiotherapy and Oncology.Cancer patients in Africa face some of the toughest odds in the world, but the ground-breaking research of Dr Abba Aji Mallum, who is UKZN’s first PhD graduate in Radiotherapy and Oncology, offers renewed hope for improving cancer care across the continent.
Dr Aubrey Mbulelo Sosibo.
An elated Dr Tshubelela Magakwe celebrated graduating with a PhD in Optometry.The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) proudly celebrates Dr Tshubelela Sello Simon Magakwe, who has been awarded a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Optometry for his ground-breaking research supervised by Professor Rekha Hansraj-Singh and Dr Zamadonda Nokuthula Xulu-Kasaba.
Dr Tarien Jael Naidoo.The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) proudly celebrates Dr Tarien Jael Naidoo, who graduated with a PhD in Medical Microbiology for her pioneering work on Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) - the bacterium responsible for tuberculosis (TB).
Dr Noluthando Mazibuko-Munonde at her graduation ceremony.Born and raised in Hlathikhulu, a rural community in Estcourt, KwaZulu-Natal, Dr Noluthando Mazibuko-Munonde has graduated with a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Medical Microbiology from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN).
Dr Roushka Bhagwan-Valjee celebrated graduating with a PhD with her husband, Mr Yuveer Valjee.Dr Roushka Bhagwan-Valjee has successfully completed her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Human Physiology at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), marking the end of more than a decade of dedicated academic pursuit.
Dr Anelisiwe Siboto graduated with a PhD in Physiology.The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) proudly celebrates Dr Anelisiwe Siboto, Academic Development Officer and Administrative Officer in the School of Clinical Medicine, on earning her PhD in Physiology.
Dr Tamlyn Seunanden graduated with a PhD in Public Health.
Ms Slindile Masinga graduated with a Master’s degree in Human Physiology.“Honestly, words fail me. Completing my postgraduate journey from honours to master’s is a miracle, especially given the lack of consistent funding I experienced, which at times made completion seem uncertain.
Ms Chitra Dipika Pillay graduated with a Master of Medical Biochemistry degree.Ms Chitra Dipika Pillay from Chatsworth was awarded her Master of Medical Biochemistry degree at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) on 18 September following her novel research, which applied in silico (computer-based) methods to identify potential inhibitors of FadD23 - a fatty acyl-CoA synthetase enzyme found in Mycobacterium tuberculosis - using drugs already approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Ms Hasnaa Aswani graduated with a Master of Medical Sciences in Physiology cum laude.
Mr Ashveer Mukesh Gopie graduated with a Master of Public Health degree.
Dr Marilyn Hooblaul graduated with a PhD in Physiotherapy.The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) proudly celebrates the graduation of Dr Marilyn Hooblaul, Chief Physiotherapist at Ekuhlengeni Psychiatric Hospital, who was awarded her PhD in Physiotherapy at the 2025 Spring Graduation ceremony.
Dr Tambwe Willy Muzumbukilwa.
Dr Buhle Lubuzo graduated with a PhD in Public Health.The University of the Witwatersrand Reproductive Health and HIV Institute’s Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting Officer, Dr Buhle Lubuzo, has graduated with a PhD in Public Health Medicine from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN).
Dr Abigail Amoah celebrates earning her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing.When Dr Abigail Amoah walked across the Graduation stage at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) this September, she carried not only the pride of personal achievement but also the hopes of countless children living with chronic kidney disease in Ghana.
Dr Andre Bovell celebrates earning his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Public Health.Dr Andre Alistair Neil Bovell has successfully completed a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Public Health, marking the culmination of a remarkable journey shaped by dedication, and a lifelong passion for health research.
Dr Ashmika Foolchand graduated with a PhD in Medical Biochemistry.The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) proudly celebrates the achievement of Dr Ashmika Foolchand, who recently graduated with a PhD in Medical Biochemistry under the supervision of Professor Anil Chuturgoon.
Dr Kagiso Kgakge.Botswanan national Dr Kagiso Kgakge, has graduated with a PhD in Public Health from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, following significant research that revealed nurses in Botswana are at high risk of developing low back pain due to manual patient handling and inadequate ergonomic practices.
Ms Bonakele Langa graduated with a Master’s in Physiology.
Dr Jacob Sons was excited to graduate with a Master of Medicine in Dermatology.Graduating from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) on 18 September 2025, Dr Jacob Sons - a specialist dermatologist at Grey’s Hospital and an adjunct lecturer at UKZN’s School of Medicine - said he felt a sense of gratitude and satisfaction knowing that years of hard work had culminated in the achievement of his Master of Medicine in Dermatology for novel research on leprosy prevention.
An excited Dr Bonginkosi Mafuze graduated with a Master of Medicine in Psychiatry.A 2025 finalist in the African Health Excellence Awards Rising Star category, Dr Bonginkosi Mafuze from KwaZulu-Natal’s Ugu District was awarded his Master of Medicine degree in Psychiatry at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) on 18 September 2025.
Dr Peterson Makinde Atiba graduated with a PhD in Anatomy.Postdoctoral Fellow in Clinical Anatomy (Neurosurgery), Dr Peterson Makinde Atiba, has been awarded a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Anatomy from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) for his study titled: ‘An Anatomical Exploration of the Hypoplastic Mandible in Hemifacial Microsomia Patients in South Africa: Understanding Facial Asymmetry, Clinical Presentation and Autologous Fat Graft Treatment’.
