Latest news with #UniversityofKwaZulu-Natal
IOL News
22-05-2025
- Health
- IOL News
UKZN academic receives prestigious award
Dr Sandile Kubheka at the 10th annual Titanium Awards ceremony in Cape Town. Image: Supplied University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) clinical educator, Dr Sandile Kubheka who made history in 2014 as the University's youngest ever medical graduate at the age of 20, has been awarded the Dr Clarence Mini Titanium Young Achiever Award. The 10th Annual Titanium Awards ceremony was held during the 24th Annual Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF) Conference in Cape Town. The Titanium Awards are among the most prestigious accolades in the South African healthcare sector, recognising individuals, institutions and innovations that are advancing access, quality and sustainability in healthcare. Introduced by the BHF, the awards celebrate excellence and impact across the industry. Reflecting on the Titanium Award, Kubheka said: 'This recognition holds weight. It's not about being the youngest or first — it's about contributing meaningfully to a system that must keep evolving. I'm deeply honoured to be part of that process.' Kubheka received the Young Achiever Award — which includes a R50 000 cash prize — for his significant contributions to improving healthcare delivery and mentoring future healthcare professionals. The official citation noted that 'his dedication to public health advocacy sets a benchmark for young professionals in the healthcare sector'. Kubheka's recognition stands out not only because of his age but for the depth of his influence across multiple dimensions of healthcare. The award further acknowledged his role as a physician-educator whose work reflects consistency, values-driven leadership and long-term vision. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ As a clinical educator at UKZN, Kubheka coordinates the third-year Internal Medicine programme and lectures students from third to sixth year. He is known for his structured teaching, hands-on mentorship and leadership in strengthening the design and delivery of clinical assessments such as OSCEs. His teaching is consistently praised for being clear, relevant and grounded in real-world practice. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he completed his registrar training while serving in frontline care and contributing to the international RECOVERY trial, which informed global treatment protocols. His work extends beyond the hospital — through public and professional engagements, he has advocated for strengthening primary healthcare, including early diagnosis of chronic illness, improved hypertension care and better access to nephrology services. As a medical student, Kubheka served in leadership roles, including as Deputy President of the Happy Valley student clinic. He received the Yashiv Sham Bursary and the Enid Gordon Jacob Good Fellowship Award for clinical excellence, leadership, and compassion. These early acknowledgements laid the foundation for a career defined by service, integrity, and impact. His professional accolades include being named Young South African of the Year in 2014, inclusion in the Mail & Guardian's 200 Young South Africans, and recognition as Best Registrar by UKZN's College of Health Sciences in 2022. SUNDAY TRIBUNE
IOL News
20-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
How Johann Rupert could influence perceptions of South Africa
South African multi-billionaire, Johann Rupert, has been reported to be part of President Cyril Ramaphosa's visit to Washington to meet US President Donald Trump. Image: Independent Media archives The involvement of South African multi-billionaire, Johann Rupert, in President Cyril Ramaphosa's visit to Washington might help to open Donald Trump's eyes to misinformation created about the treatment of Afrikaners and white farmers. This was a view of a political analyst from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Sakhile Hadebe, amid news that Rupert, who is an Afrikaner farmer and mining magnate, was possibly part of the Ramaphosa-led team expected to meet the American President on Wednesday afternoon. The team departed South Africa on Monday. According to the presidency's spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, Ramaphosa was accompanied by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, Minister of Trade, Industry, Competition, Parks Tau, Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen and the Special Envoy to the United States of America, Mcebisi Jonas. Ramaphosa's visit to the US followed Trump's signing an executive order early this year that accused South Africa of subjecting the white Afrikaner farming community to genocide and discriminatory transformative policies, which included expropriation of land without compensation. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ A group of more than 49 Afrikaners left South Africa last week after accepting Trump's offer for them to emigrate. 'I think Ramaphosa saw it necessary to bring along well-established people, and we know that Rupert is one of the people who are running the show,' said Radebe. He said the relationship between South Africa and the US had reached its lowest level in the history of the democratic dispensation. 'Therefore, he thought that with this situation so strained between South Africa and the US, it was important to bring along people who are running the country, in terms of the economy. 'Since Trump is also a businessman, they (Trump and Rupert) will speak the same language,' said Radebe. According to reports, Rupert was frustrated by Trump referring to Afrikaners as refugees and victims of genocide. Radebe said people, including Afrikaners, could not be happy with the misinformation about South Africa, 'because this is not true, but pure fabrication'. 'It would ruin our reputation as a country, and therefore, a person like Rupert is important,' he said. IFP spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa said it was not uncommon for Ramaphosa to include business people whenever he undertook international working visits. The party, which is part of the Government of National Unity, was hoping for a positive outcome from the negotiations, saying 'there is a lot that is at stake'. 'We expect that there should be push back on the propaganda and that he (Ramaphosa) clarifies policy position and mends relations between these two countries. 'There is a lot of trade between South Africa and the United States, with the Agoa (African Growth and Opportunity Act) in place. 'With South Africa being the outgoing chair of the G20 and the United States being the incoming chair, we have to work together,' said Hlengwa. He said it was also expected that the leaders would have positive engagements on the issues of Ukraine and the Middle East conflicts, which need to be defused. Announcing that he would be part of the delegation, DA leader Steenhuisen said his role would be to secure trade relations between the US and South Africa, particularly in agriculture, to protect jobs, grow the economy and expand employment opportunities. 'South Africa's relationship with the United States is one of immense importance. Preferential trade agreements such as AGOA contribute significantly to our economy. 'Losing these benefits would be disastrous for farmers, farm workers and the economy at large,' said Steenhuisen in a statement released on Monday. His party and Freedom Front Plus declined to comment on Rupert's involvement. International relations expert Dr Noluthando Phungula said the involvement of Rupert was in line with Trump's decision to increase tariffs imposed on South African products. 'What does SA export to the US? Nothing but our precious minerals as raw materials. 'Who owns the mines that mine and export these minerals? Johan Rupert,' she said. Phungula said the main focus of the visit was not so much about Afrikaners' migration, but about trade relations and Rupert's business interests because 'money listens to money.' She said the delegation should remind Trump that South Africa is a sovereign constitutional democracy. 'The reality is that granting refugee status to a privileged minority from a democratic country in the absence of violence or even conflict undermines the legitimacy of the country's democracy. 'Pretoria has a responsibility to engage and respond to the false claims and finally reaffirm the legitimacy of our constitutional order and the truth,' said Phungula.
IOL News
20-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Ramaphosa's US visit: How Johann Rupert could influence perceptions of South Africa
South African multi-billionaire, Johann Rupert, has been reported to be part of President Cyril Ramaphosa's visit to Washington to meet US President Donald Trump. Image: Independent Media archives The involvement of South African multi-billionaire, Johann Rupert, in President Cyril Ramaphosa's visit to Washington might help to open Donald Trump's eyes to misinformation created about the treatment of Afrikaners and white farmers. This was a view of a political analyst from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Sakhile Hadebe, amid news that Rupert, who is an Afrikaner farmer and mining magnate, was possibly part of the Ramaphosa-led team expected to meet the American President on Wednesday afternoon. The team departed South Africa on Monday. News 24 reported that Rupert would be part of the delegation. According to the presidency's spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, Ramaphosa was accompanied by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, Trade, Industry, Competition, Parks Tau, Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen and the Special Envoy to the United States of America, Mcebisi Jonas. Ramaphosa's visit to the US followed Trump's signing an executive order early this year that accused South Africa of subjecting the white Afrikaner farming community to genocide and discriminatory transformative policies, which included expropriation of land without compensation. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ A group of more than 49 Afrikaners left South Africa last week after accepting Trump's offer for them to emigrate. 'I think Ramaphosa saw it necessary to bring along well-established people, and we know that Rupert is one of the people who are running the show,' said Radebe. He said the relationship between South Africa and the US had reached its lowest level in the history of the democratic dispensation. 'Therefore, he thought that with this situation so strained between South Africa and the US, it was important to bring along people who are running the country, in terms of the economy. 'Since Trump is also a businessman, they (Trump and Rupert) will speak the same language,' said Radebe. According to reports, Rupert was frustrated by Trump referring to Afrikaners as refugees and victims of genocide. Radebe said people, including Afrikaners, could not be happy with the misinformation about South Africa, 'because this is not true, but pure fabrication'. 'It would ruin our reputation as the country, and therefore, a person like Rupert is important,' he said. IFP spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa said it was not uncommon for Ramaphosa to include business people whenever he undertakes international working visits. The party, which is part of the Government of National Unity, was hoping for a positive outcome from the negotiations, saying 'there is a lot that is at stake'. 'We expect that there should be push back on the propaganda and that he (Ramaphosa) clarifies policy position and mends relations between these two countries. 'There is a lot of trade between South Africa and the United States, with the Agoa (African Growth and Opportunity Act) in place. 'With South Africa being the outgoing chair of the G20 and the United States being the incoming chair, we have to work together,' said Hlengwa. He said it was also expected that the leaders would have positive engagements on the issues of Ukraine and the Middle East conflicts, which need to be defused. Announcing that he would be part of the delegation, DA leader Steenhuisen said his role would be to secure trade relations between the US and South Africa, particularly in agriculture, to protect jobs, grow the economy and expand employment opportunities. 'South Africa's relationship with the United States is one of immense importance. Preferential trade agreements such as AGOA contribute significantly to our economy. 'Losing these benefits would be disastrous for farmers, farm workers and the economy at large,' said Steenhuisen in a statement released on Monday. His party and Freedom Front Plus declined to comment on Rupert's involvement. International relations expert Dr Noluthando Phungula said the involvement of Rupert was in line with Trump's decision to increase tariffs imposed on South African products. 'What does SA export to the US? Nothing but our precious minerals as raw materials. 'Who owns the mines that mine and export these minerals? Johan Rupert,' she said. Phungula said the main focus of the visit was not so much about Afrikaners' migration, but about trade relations and Rupert's business interests because 'money listens to money.' She said the delegation should remind Trump that South Africa is a sovereign constitutional democracy. 'The reality is that granting refugee status to a privileged minority from a democratic country in the absence of violence or even conflict undermines the legitimacy of the country's democracy. 'Pretoria has a responsibility to engage and respond to the false claims and finally reaffirm the legitimacy of our constitutional order and the truth,' said Phungula.
The Citizen
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Doon Heights jazz maestro bags PhD
A DOON Heights jazz musician, university lecturer, son, husband, and father has added another feather to his cap by graduating with a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in music at the University of KwaZulu-Natal on May 7. Also read: Amanzimtoti jazz maestro grateful for inspiration Dr. Sibusiso Mashiloane plays the piano and has released eight albums since 2016, when he made his debut with Amanz' Olwandle. He teaches music at the same institution that he graduated from. Despite Covid-19 setbacks after he started his PhD research, he worked hard over approximately six years to finalise his dissertation. He said this achievement is a testament that if South Africans stick to their indigenous sound in music, they can never go wrong. 'To all musicians of all genres, whatever music you put out, it should have that indigenous African sound, which is our identity. That would enable us to stick to what is natural and not follow what others are doing,' said Mashiloane. He thanked Bishop Nathi Zondi for encouraging him to continue with his studies so that he is in a better position to inspire others to be inspired by cultural music. He also thanked his wife, Dr. Pheladi Mashiloane, and their son, Hubo. For more South Coast Sun news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and get news delivered straight to your inbox. Do you have more information pertaining to this story? Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
16-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Jaedon Naidu graduates summa cum laude as UKZN's top performing graduate of 2025
Jaedon Naidu graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, earning the highest credit-weighted average across the entire University Image: Sethu Dlamini Jaedon Naidu has etched his name in history as the top-performing graduate at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), having graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree. His stellar achievement is underscored by an impressive credit-weighted average (CWA) of 96.2 percent—an accolade that places him at the forefront of academic excellence for the class of 2025. What sets Naidu apart is the remarkable breadth of his studies encompassed by a rare triple major in Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science. His commitment to learning saw him achieve 100% in nine modules, alongside earning five Dean's Commendations and a phenomenal 25 Certificates of Merit throughout his academic career. Naidu's journey into the world of academia began at an early age when he and his brother were approached by Professor Delia North, the then Dean and Head of the School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science at UKZN. She encouraged the duo to explore data science as a viable career path—an opportunity that would ultimately shape Naidu's future. Initially enrolled in UKZN's Medical programme, Naidu quickly discovered that his true passion lay within the blend of subjects that defined the Data Science programme. 'I changed to the Data Science programme which combines mathematics, statistics and computer science, and realised it was exactly what I was looking for,' he stated, reflecting on the pivotal choice that changed the course of his career. Throughout his undergraduate studies, Naidu exhibited a natural affinity for modules that demanded logical reasoning and creative problem-solving, preferring them over rote memorisation. 'I don't really enjoy memorising large amounts of theory; problem-solving is more enjoyable for me—like a puzzle,' he said, pointing to the aspects of learning that fuelled his thirst for knowledge. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Jaedon Naidu at his graduation Image: Sethu Dlamini Naidu's passion for data science has deep roots, having begun during childhood with participation in national and international Olympiads in mathematics, computer programming, and physics. These formative experiences cultivated his analytical thinking and solidified his belief that data science could have a transformative effect in various industries. 'As the world evolves, data science is going to become even more high profile, no matter the industry,' he explained, acknowledging the job security the field offers. Currently enrolled in an honours programme in Statistics at UKZN, Naidu aims to further his studies, pondering whether to pursue his master's degree locally or overseas. He attributes his academic success to a robust support system consisting of family and mentors who played critical roles in his development. 'First and foremost, I credit God for the combination of my talents and an environment in which to nurture them,' he confessed. 'My family, notably my father, mother, and brother Aaron, have always been there for me, as well as my gran, who was my first teacher.' Naidu expressed gratitude to the educators who influenced his journey, including high school teachers at Eden College and UKZN Emeritus Professors, conveying his appreciation for their unwavering support and guidance. 'A huge thank you to UKZN and the phenomenal Data Science teaching team who have played a massive role in shaping my future. Hard work and consistency produce good results, and I extend my congratulations to all the graduates!' Beyond academics, Naidu embraces a balanced lifestyle through his hobbies, which include playing the piano, staying fit with weighted calisthenics, and sharing his knowledge through a YouTube channel dedicated to study skills and productivity. IOL
