Five Dental Therapy Graduates Receive Cum Laude Bachelor’s Degrees

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Five exceptional Bachelor of Dental Therapy students graduated cum laude.

They are Ms Zeenat Abdul Hamid, Mr Devadasan Govender, Mr Wandile Mncwabe, Ms Sibongokuhle Mbuyisa, and Ms Vuyiswa Zwane.

Top achiever Mncwabe said he was very proud of the achievement, calling it a humbling validation of hard work and consistency. ‘It wasn’t entirely expected, but it was certainly a goal I worked tirelessly towards,’ he said.

Driven by a passion for community-focused healthcare, Mncwabe plans to specialise in public health or academia, aiming to train future dental therapists and improve access to oral healthcare in underserved areas. ‘Dental Therapy stands out as a profession that not only treats but also educates and empowers. I’ve always wanted to bring smiles back - literally and figuratively.’

Reflecting on his UKZN journey, he described it as transformative, praising the programme’s balance of theoretical and practical learning as well as the support from lecturers and peers.

From a disadvantaged background, Mncwabe chose the three-year degree as a practical path to create change for his family and community. ‘I told myself if I can just get in, I’ll push through and graduate in record time. And that’s exactly what I did.’

Currently working in the private sector, Mncwabe continues to build clinical experience while preparing for postgraduate studies. His goal remains clear: to make a meaningful, lasting impact in the field of oral health, especially among those most in need.

Words: Nombuso Dlamini

Photograph: Sethu Dlamini