Nelson Mandela University Medical School: A Celebration

• Published date: 04 February 2022
• Publication title: Mail & Guardian: Web Edition Articles (Johannesburg, South Africa)

Congratulations for Nelson Mandela University's new Medical School have been streaming in from leading voices in health, both in South Africa and around the world

Professor Ahmed Bawa, CEO Universities South Africa:

"This medical school will inject significant new capacity into our national health system. Its intention to produce more socially-rounded graduates will help us to inject new levels of diversity and new learnings about the role of medical graduates in helping to achieve better health outcomes. My heartiest congratulations!"

Higher Health CEO Professor Ramneek Ahluwalia:

"On this momentous day the dream of South Africa is to build a healthcare system which speaks to our communities. The need is for healthcare professionals willing to serve in rural South Africa and I wish you all success in building this for the next generation, giving opportunities that can only be for the best of our country. Covid-19 is a brutal reminder that infections will keep coming and the only way we can fight this kind of threat is by building a strong healthcare system, through our own university system building medical schools and brilliant healthcare professionals. We look forward to partnering and working with the medical school."

Professor Solly Rataemane, Chairperson of the Medical and Dental Board of the Health Professions Council of South Africa:

"The Nelson Mandela University Medical School is a welcome addition and we wish strength and health to Professor [Zukiswa] Zingela and the academic leadership in their execution of this daunting task. Your medical school may be new but will remain equal to other older medical schools in terms of recognition and innovative programmes. Congratulations!"

Lord Peter Hain, Chair, Donald Woods Foundation:

"The Donald Woods Foundation looks forward to working with the new Medical School through our centre in Hobeni, offering unique research and training potential for your students in our frontline health work with local communities in this remote, poverty-stricken rural area."

Dr Patrick Soon-Shiong, internationally renowned Transplant Surgeon, Bioscientist and Billionaire Businessman:

"What a proud day for the first medical students at a Medical School in my home town! The first 50 students today, the next 500 tomorrow is the hope, and you should be proud to be the first, as you are the future of this nation. The training of medical students and doctors in South Africa is one of the best in the world and I cannot tell you how excited I am that we are expanding the intellectual power of much-needed doctors. The reward of helping others is enormous. South Africa could be the Singapore of Africa with you as medical students."

Former Chief Justice of South Africa, Justice Dikgang Moseneke:

"My warm congratulations for launching Nelson Mandela University Medical School. May it grow from strength to strength and continue to serve our country and its people."

Professor Tiaan de Jager, Chair SA Committee of Medical Deans and Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Pretoria University:

"This is an auspicious occasion for healthcare in South Africa and a giant boost for public health, especially as we face the ongoing global pandemic. Congratulations on the achievement of this long-held dream."

Professor Anthea Rhoda, Dean Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Western Cape and Chairperson of the South African Committee of Health Sciences Deans:

"I would like to congratulate Nelson Mandela University on launching your Medical School … you will make the dreams of many South Africans come true as these young individuals, once qualified as doctors, will assist us in contributing to the healthcare needs of South Africa."

Professor Ncoza Dlova, Dean and Head of School: Clinical Medicine, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal:

"On this happy occasion, let us embrace the dawn of a new era in the medical training of a new cadre of medical doctors. We salute you for not giving up on the vision you have had since 1946 and extend our firm support and hearty congratulations."

Professor Jimmy Volmink, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University:

"We warmly congratulate Nelson Mandela University … this exciting development is an important and timely contribution to the capacity for training doctors in South Africa, a capacity which is currently insufficient to meet the country's needs. It will also extend the scope of Mandela University's interprofessional education and practice strategy for health professions education. We salute all those — including the late Professor Lungile Pepeta — who have worked so hard over many years to make this a reality."

Professor Risenga Chauke, Dean of Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University:

"We need more health workers to heal our nation and advocate for policy changes and training capacity. We therefore welcome the establishment and launch of the 10th medical school in South Africa."

Professor Lionel Green-Thompson, Dean: Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town:

"Congratulations on this milestone! It is more significant when such a facility is within a strong faculty with an established legacy of education, delivering multiple cohorts of graduates from a broad range of health professionals already in the service of our people across the land."

Professor Samuel Risenga, University of Limpopo School of Medicine:

"We are aware of the arduous challenges encountered during the establishment of this much-needed national treasure. We wish you a great journey as you set forth … The expectations are high, and you dare not fail in your historic mission." — Gillian McAinsh

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

You're going to love it here, says the class of 2021

Students from around South Africa flooded Nelson Mandela University with applications for the first year MBChB class of 50 students.

Those selected, now at the end of their ground-breaking year, had encouraging messages for the new kids of 2022.

Nelson Mandela University Medical School students on the Missionvale Campus. Photo: Leonette Bower

You can expect sophisticated facilities, up-to-date technology, a small but diverse class, helpful staff and top-notch training, said the current crop of doctors-in-training.

"The experience that you will get is basically world class: there are doctors from all over the world in the hospitals that you're going to be training in," said 2021 class rep Qasim Osman, 18, who matriculated in Polokwane, Limpopo, in 2020.

Like many medical school hopefuls, Osman applied at several South African universities as demand generally far outstrips supply for placement.

'Amazing labs'

"When I looked into the programme here the small class size and new facilities were appealing — we have amazing labs, and this is also a good city to live and study in," he said.

There were 5 652 applications for 2022 and 80 students accepted, and this is expected to rise to 100 in 2023. Most of the 2021 Mandela Uni MBChB class matriculated in 2020 and were drawn from schools in Quintiles 1-3.

"I was so scared and frustrated that I might not be able to go to study in 2021. When I got the call, I was so happy," said Botshabelo matriculant Tshepo Mpelo, 20, who had feared that the impact of Covid-19 would delay academic admission.

Gqeberha matriculant Anita Ellary, 18, is loving being a pioneer of Mandela Uni's new medical school.

"It's amazing! There was obviously a lot of anxiety hearing that so many applicants were vying for so few spots, but my acceptance affirmed that the hard work I put in at school paid off," she said.

"There was a lot of newness and uncharted waters. However, all the lecturers have been extremely approachable and willing to help."

Classmate Matthew Harrison agreed, saying he was enjoying the "enthusiasm and warmth of all the staff and lecturers". He also said he had been learning "just how important empathy and being a good communicator is in healthcare".

"It's been fantastic overall, and a lot of fun, but oftentimes daunting with all the responsibilities placed on you, especially academic," said the 19-year-old from Kimberley in the Northern Cape

'The chance I've been waiting for'

A few students could not fulfil their dream of becoming a doctor immediately after school. Potsiso Pako, 27, for example, studied pharmacy before applying at Mandela Uni in 2020.

"It's been a long journey to finally do medicine now and I am overwhelmed with emotions to know that I actually made it from more than 5 500 applications," the student from Mpumalanga said.

"This is the chance I've been waiting for, for a long time. It's been hard to transition to being a full-time first year student again, but our campus has good facilities and great lecture halls, and it's a good learning environment.

"I've made new friends, and having physical interactions with our lecturers has helped me a lot as they've been supportive."

KwaZulu-Natal born Yasteel Nandlal, 19, started a BPharm at Mandela Uni in 2020 before switching to medicine in 2021.

"I am extremely grateful and consider myself very lucky that I was chosen to be part of this medical school," he said.

'So much support'

Others commented on the extensive academic programme.

"The workload is quite heavy but everything is interesting to learn. Our lecturers are approachable and want us to succeed; they're dedicated to helping us as much as possible and communicate this clearly," Nandlal said.

"There's so much support, we have great systems to facilitate online learning and it's very special to be part of the first cohort."

Many said they were challenged academically by the rigorously accredited medical school curriculum.

Osman agreed that the course was intense: "You have to study every day if you want to get through everything — doctors need to know a lot!"

Smaller classes did help, however, said Ellary, and also contributed to "close-knit bonds, both as medical...