20 UKZN medical students graduate summa cum laude

A wave of pride and celebration swept through the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) as cheers and ululations echoed through the graduation hall when 20 MBChB students were awarded their degrees summa cum laude at the university’s autumn graduation ceremony.

These high achievers, no strangers to academic excellence and consistent Dean’s Commendations, formed one of the most outstanding graduating classes in UKZN’s medical history.

Topping the class of 2025 were Dr Ahmed Bassa, Dr Aneesah Haffejee and Dr Nishen Naidoo, who all earned a remarkable 85% average. They were closely followed by Dr Priyanka Govender, who achieved 83%.

“It is a truly humbling experience to be graduating with this accolade from one of the most prestigious medical schools in our country,” said Dr Naidoo, a former head boy of Kingsway High School in Amanzimtoti. “I’m grateful to everyone who played a role in my journey. My family and friends were ecstatic and eagerly awaiting my graduation day.”

Dr Naidoo is now completing his internship at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital in Umlazi, and says his passion for helping others stems from watching his late grandfather battle multiple heart attacks. “Seeing the medical team improve his quality of life inspired me to pursue this path,” he said. “The will to serve mankind is my greatest motivation.”

Another standout, Dr Thobeka Dladla of Ladysmith, now interning at Kalafong Hospital in Pretoria, is the first doctor in her family. “My late mother would have been so proud,” she said. “This is proof that hard work and sacrifice truly pay off.”

For Dr Jaydon Govender of Phoenix, the achievement was surreal. “Graduating summa cum laude was a shock. It’s deeply gratifying,” he said. “It was overwhelming to see the result of years of dedication. This journey was incredibly challenging, and this milestone makes every single sacrifice worth it.” Govender is now an intern at Dr Pixley Ka Isaka Seme Memorial Hospital in KwaMashu.

Dr Timira Dayanand, who is serving her internship at Harry Gwala Regional Hospital in Pietermaritzburg, drew inspiration from her father – a self-made doctor who established a private hospital in their community. “Watching him dedicate his life to serving others gave me both motivation and a platform to build my own path,” she said. “Graduating as a top medical student is a dream come true. I am proud of my perseverance and passion for healing.”

For Dr Sthabile Ngwenya of Pietermaritzburg, now based at General Justice Gizenga Mpanza Regional Hospital in Stanger, the desire to understand the human body and help others sparked a lifelong dream to study medicine.

Dr Tayuri Naicker, interning at Victoria Mxenge Hospital in Durban, recalled how emotionally demanding medical school could be. “There were times I felt like I was drowning,” she said. “But faith, discipline and support from like-minded friends kept me going. They played a huge role in my success.”