Five Health Sciences Students Awarded Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarships

Mr Diandre Gomez, Ms Bohlale Leope, Ms Dudu Ngwenya, Ms Fatima Randeree, and Mr Sibongakonke Zungu were thrilled to receive the Malegapuru W. Makgoba Scholarship – named in honour of UKZN’s first Vice-Chancellor and Principal.

The awards recognise the top five undergraduates progressing from first to second year in the College of Health Sciences.

“I am both ecstatic and overwhelmed – in a good way – because receiving this award was so unexpected. My hard work and commitment really paid off,” said Gomez. He added that his supportive family and friends were even more excited than he was and are eager to see him achieve more.

“I chose to study Medicine for my extreme curiosity of the human body. I am fascinated by how the human body functions and its ability to fight off illness. There is so much more to learn, and I am eager to embark on this opportunity to study various disease processes and their treatment,” he said.

“My journey at UKZN has been amazing. I’ve met so many great people. One of the highlights was the White Coat Ceremony – an annual event that celebrates first-year Medical students and marks their oath-taking. That’s when I realised I was exactly where I needed to be,” he said. Gomez hopes to specialise in paediatric neurosurgery and pursue research in genetics and infectious disease. He also enjoys singing in a choir and spending time in nature. He previously earned a Bachelor of Biological Sciences and an Honours in Molecular Medicine and Haematology from the University of the Witwatersrand.

“It feels surreal! I never thought of myself as academically excellent – I didn’t realise the significance of my achievements until I received the scholarship,” said Leope. She was inspired to study Medicine after witnessing the impact her neurosurgeon mother had on patients “at one of the lowest points in a person’s life – being ill and bedridden.”

She is fascinated by the human body, loves science, and enjoys giving back to the community – making medicine feel like a true calling.

“My family always encourages me to give it my all, even when I feel like I can’t go on, reminding me that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I want my daughter to know that the journey is as important as the destination. Coming from a highly academic family, with older brothers in software and civil engineering and a younger brother studying Law, has definitely motivated me to strive for excellence,” she said.

Leope said being far from home presented a language barrier at first. “It helps when you surround yourself with people who are patient and mindful.” She is determined to complete her MBChB, specialise in neurosurgery, and establish a non-profit organisation promoting mental health. “We’re a praying family,” she said. “No OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) formed against me shall prosper!” Outside her studies, Leope enjoys praying, writing poetry, singing, and dancing.

“Receiving this scholarship has been a true blessing. I feel honoured and deeply grateful, especially after facing financial stress in my first year of study. It has brought relief and renewed motivation, and I thank God, my family, and the sponsors for making this possible,” said Ngwenya.

Ngwenya said Medicine had always been her passion. Even though she was unable to purse it straight after matric, and instead became a radiographer.

“While working in the hospital, my love for radiology grew, and it reignited my determination to become a doctor. I am currently in my second-year of study.”

Ngwenya, who hopes to specialise in radiology and contribute meaningfully to the South African healthcare system, said her journey at UKZN has been both rewarding and challenging. “Studying Medicine is demanding, but it feels right – like I’m finally walking in my purpose. Getting accepted to study Medicine and receiving this scholarship have been major highlights. These milestones give me the strength to keep going. I want to grow not just as a professional but as someone who uplifts others, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds like mine.

“I’m currently in my second-year of Dental Therapy at UKZN. I’ve always had an interest in Health Sciences and a passion for helping people and that combination led me to Dentistry. It was also quite a personal decision,” said Randeree. “I had a few dental issues growing up as a child and watching my smile transform over the years has really stuck with me. Now I want to be on the other side of that chair, helping people feel confident about their smiles too.

“I feel surprised, honoured and incredibly grateful to receive this scholarship. To me, it is more than just financial support, it is a vote of confidence from those who believe in my potential. I am thankful to the sponsors who have made this possible. It is a reminder to work even harder, make the most of this opportunity and to give back. Upon receiving the news, my family and friends, as you can imagine, were over the moon! My parents were and still are very proud. My friends have been incredibly supportive – loads of excitement and congratulatory comments came pouring in when I informed them about the scholarship. It was such a heart-warming reminder of how loved and supported I am on this journey.”

Randeree who earned five distinctions in matric, expressed deep gratitude to her family, friends, teachers, and mentors who have always believed in her. “Once I graduate, I plan to gain hands-on experience, ideally alongside mentors who can help refine my clinical skills. In the long-term, I dream of opening a practice that’s not just focused on dental health, but on creating a calm, comforting space for patients. I’m also excited to keep evolving, especially as dental technology continues to advance.

“I feel incredibly grateful and honoured. This scholarship is not just financial relief, it’s a vote of confidence in my potential. It has motivated me to keep pushing forward and reminded me that hard work truly pays off,” said Zungu. “I’ve always been passionate about Medicine, inspired by my late grandmother, who had deep knowledge of traditional herbal medicine and loved helping others. Her compassion sparked my own desire to serve. My parents, family, and friends have always inspired me to dream big and reminded me why I started.”

Words: Lunga Memela

Photograph: Andile Ndlovu