Cum Laude Distinction for Twenty-Seven Pharmacy Graduates

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In a remarkable display of academic excellence, 27 UKZN students were awarded Bachelor of Pharmacy degrees with cum laude honours!

The students were: Ms Deandra Brijh, Ms Nothando Cebekhulu, Ms Andiswa Dlamini, Ms Avumile Gqetywa, Ms Nomcebo Gumede, Ms Mishka Hansraj, Ms Afifa Jogiat, Ms Aaliyah Lockhat, Ms Thembalethu Luthuli, Mr Luyanda Mbambo, Mr Samukelo Mchunu, Ms Ziphozonke Mncwango, Mr Nkosinothando Mthiya, Mr Malusi Mtolo, Ms Priyanka Naidu, Ms Sibusisekile Ndaba, Mr Sandile Ndabandaba, Mr Andile Ngcobo, Ms Silethiwe Ngema, Ms Nomfundo Ngubane, Ms Ntandoyamaswazi Nkosi, Ms Nazrana Patel, Mr Lindokuhle Sikhakhane, Ms Haylee Singh, Ms Ayanda Sishi, Mr Langalakhe Sithole, Ms Sbongakonke Sithole, and Ms Makhosazana Zwane.

Gumede expressed immense pride in her achievement: ‘Graduating cum laude for my Bachelor of Pharmacy degree is a significant milestone. I worked towards excellence, knowing it would require persistence and focus. While I hoped for this outcome, I never took it for granted - it’s the result of consistent hard work and passion.’

Gumede’s future plans include completing her pharmacist internship and specialising in clinical pharmacy or working in the pharmaceutical industry. ‘I’m passionate about enhancing patient care and medication management, especially in the public healthcare sector. Long-term, I hope to contribute to pharmaceutical education and policy-making,’ she added.

Ngcobo shared similar sentiments of gratitude and pride. ‘The work was incredibly challenging, so achieving this honour is humbling. Honestly, I didn’t expect it. Throughout my studies, my goal was simply to give my best and hope the results reflected the effort I put in.’

Ngcobo aspires to become the best pharmacist he can be, using his knowledge to improve the health and lives of others. I chose this path because I’ve always wanted to be someone who could help others through both knowledge and care. Pharmacy puts me at the frontline of doing just that,’ he said.

Cebekhulu said she was thrilled by her achievement: ‘It was a wonderful surprise. I worked very hard and dedicated myself completely, and now I know that hard work does pay off.’ She hopes to specialise in clinical pharmacy and, in the long term, open her own pharmacy to serve her community.

‘Losing my grandmother to diabetes, due to delayed access to healthcare, inspired me to pursue this field. I want to help prevent others from experiencing similar avoidable loss,’ she said.

Patel also reflected on the joy of academic success: ‘When I found out I had passed cum laude, I was thrilled. I’ve always aimed to do my best, and receiving that distinction was incredibly satisfying.

‘Pharmacy combines my academic strengths and my desire to serve the community. It’s a field that places you right at the heart of accessible public healthcare,’ she said.

Ngema, currently a pharmacist intern at the General Justice Gizenga Mpanza Regional Hospital and originally from rural Mandeni, was also among the proud graduates. ‘I wasn’t expecting this, but I’m incredibly grateful. I come from a large, loving family of seven - my parents and five children. We were raised with love and respect,’ she said.

Ngema’s dreams are big and bold: ‘I want to become a millionaire by creating antidotes and helping the sick through proper medication and therapeutic care.’

Ms Haylee Singh (22) was raised by her grandparents after losing her parents. Haylee credits God, her late grandmother, and her family for her strength in achieving a cum laude result. Now a pharmacist intern, she aspires to become a research pharmacist.

Words: Nombuso Dlamini

Photograph: Sethu Dlamini